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

Example Sentences

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

The endangered Sneed’s pincushion cactus and other rare plants also grow in the area.

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 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

In the books, this is the rather difficult art of changing one thing into another — a mouse into a snuffbox or a hedgehog into a pincushion.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2018

The year before, he and his wife and Monique had gone on a trip to Hong Kong, which struck him, mostly, as a pincushion of gleaming skyscrapers.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng