pipe cleaner

noun

1. a short length of twisted flexible wires covered with tufted fabric, used to clean the stem of a smoker's pipe and for various handicrafts.

pipe cleaner

noun

1. a short length of thin wires twisted so as to hold tiny tufts of yarn: used to clean the stem of a tobacco pipe

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipe cleaner¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

If you’re crafty and have some green pipe cleaners, you can even make it vaguely resemble a pumpkin.

From Eater

Twist the pipe cleaners or twist ties together and cut them to the same width as the mask.

From Popular-Science

Soak all feeder parts in a sink with one cup of vinegar to two cups of hot water, then scrub them with a thin-bristle brush or pipe cleaner and dry them thoroughly before filling and rehanging the feeder.

From Washington Post

He took out his knife, opened the pipe cleaner, and pressed the narrow blade into the aperture.

From Project Gutenberg

The back of a broken horn comb is a favorite material for making a decorated pipe-cleaner (Fig. 304 124).

From Project Gutenberg

The left-hand upper waistcoat pocket holds a pencil, a commutation ticket and a pipe cleaner.

From Project Gutenberg

The first pipe-cleaner man was shinnying up the power cable.

From Project Gutenberg

A pipe-cleaner man happened upon a shard after a moment and hugged it to his chest, then toddled back into the box with it.

From Project Gutenberg