paper clip

¹ American  

noun

1. a flat wire or plastic clip shaped so that it can hold sheets of paper between two of its loops.

2. a spring clamp for holding papers.

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paper-clip ² American  

[pey-per-klip] / ˈpeɪ pərˈklɪp /

verb (used with object)

paper-clipped, paper-clipping

1. to fasten together with one or more paper clips.

   Paper-clip these letters and file them.

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Etymology

Origin of paper clip¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of paper-clip²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Channeling the fictional 1980s secret agent MacGyver, he unwound the paper clip and stuck it in his TV’s coaxial port to get a signal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

After a few weeks, Webb had read it and stuck a paper clip — about 500 in all — over every passage that might offend the higher-ups.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2025

For example, when you bend a paper clip which is made of aluminum, the movement of dislocations inside the paper clip accommodates the shape change.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2024

“And who doesn’t take notes on a checkbook or use a paper clip to hold his glasses together?”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2023

Inside, there’s a stack of documents held together by a paper clip.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio