knitting needle
Americannoun
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either of two types of instruments used for hand knitting: a straight rod of steel, wood, plastic, etc., pointed at one or both ends, used in pairs, or a single curved, flexible rod with two pointed ends.
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any of various needlelike devices used in machine knitting.
Etymology
Origin of knitting needle
First recorded in 1590–1600
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It was the knitting needle I brought back from my parents' house. It was also that when I finally miscarried, I didn't know that there would be a placenta to pass."
From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025
On the family turntable he listened to Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and an album called “Bozo the Clown Conducts Favorite Circus Marches,” conducting along with a knitting needle.
From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2022
The women then strung the hearts together, with the flick of a knitting needle, and suspended the creations from a marble urn that commemorates a Mexican freedom fighter.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2019
The women then strung the hearts together, with the flick of a knitting needle, and suspended the creations from a marble urn that commemorates a Mexican freedom fighter.
From Washington Times • Aug. 24, 2019
In a few minutes he closed his satchel and put the knitting needle in his pocket.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
