pincushion

American  

[pin-koosh-uhn] / ˈpɪnˌkʊʃ ən /

noun

1. a small cushion into which pins are stuck until needed.

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pincushion British  

/ ˈpɪnˌkʊʃən /

noun

1. a small well-padded cushion in which pins are stuck ready for use

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Etymology

Origin of pincushion

First recorded in 1625–35; pin + cushion

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pincushion

In wet winters, the valleys beyond town awaken in color as sand verbena, desert sunflower, evening primrose and pincushion gather in brief, luminous blooms across the desert floor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026

Discovered in 1852, Psyche has the width of Massachusetts, a squashed spherical shape reminiscent of a pincushion, and an orbit between Mars and Jupiter in the main asteroid belt.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2023

‘Little Penny’ is a pincushion of a plant, the smallest coreopsis ever — ideal for tucking into pots, where its copper-colored flowers will set off darks or brights.

From Seattle Times ● May 28, 2022

And also, the months of lockdown that may have realigned our priorities away from office conflicts and toxic relationships crystallized how noxious youth sports have become for those pincushion refs.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 6, 2021

A Stitch in Time stood tall, snaking the yellow measuring tape over her shoulder and jabbing the offending needle into the pumpkin-shaped pincushion affixed to her wrist.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

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