pipe cleaner

American  

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.

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pipe cleaner British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of pipe cleaner

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

These include any excess pieces of paper, felt, pipe cleaner and used pieces of cardboard.

From Los Angeles Times

About two years after arriving in the park, P-22 appeared on trail-camera footage looking gaunt, his tail as thin as a pipe cleaner.

From Los Angeles Times

The big cat showed up on trail-camera footage looking gaunt, his tail as thin as a pipe cleaner.

From Los Angeles Times

For the leaf mitts, she cut out green felt and hot-glued on green pipe cleaners.

From Seattle Times

A ball — composed of 15 red pipe cleaners, one for each girl on the team — affectionately named Reggie was their secret weapon.

From Washington Post