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sticking plaster

American  

noun

  1. an adhesive cloth or other material for covering and closing superficial wounds, holding bandages in place, etc.


sticking plaster British  

noun

  1. Usual US term: adhesive tape.  a thin cloth with an adhesive substance on one side, used for covering slight or superficial wounds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sticking plaster

First recorded in 1645–55

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.

See Examples For:

Perkins described the process, which is licensed by Natural England, as "a sort of sticking plaster" that will work "until we can get better natural nesting in place".

From BBC Jul. 17, 2026

While there is hope that Rutte's tactics will pay off again in Ankara -- among some there is a sense that it's just a sticking plaster solution.

From Barron's Jul. 6, 2026

Helen Dickinson, the BRC's chief executive, said: "This latest announcement looks like another sticking plaster on a broken system rather than the more fundamental reform required."

From BBC Jan. 8, 2026

It has been closed previously for works, which Mr Bradley describes as a "sticking plaster job".

From BBC Oct. 27, 2025

Besides the food, he packed a torch, and his penknife, some sticking plaster, a pair of socks and a ball of string.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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