toothpick

American  

[tooth-pik] / ˈtuθˌpɪk /

noun

1. a small pointed piece of wood, plastic, etc., for removing substances, especially food particles, from between the teeth. tooth.

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toothpick British  

/ ˈtuːθˌpɪk /

noun

1. a small sharp sliver of wood, plastic, etc, used for extracting pieces of food from between the teeth

2. a slang word for bowie knife

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Etymology

Origin of toothpick

First recorded in 1480–90; tooth + pick ²

Example Sentences

Lincoln’s secretary, John Hay, described Clay on a visit to the White House, wearing “with a sublimely unconscious air, three pistols and an Arkansas toothpick”—his Bowie knife.

From The Wall Street Journal

That leads us to the proverbial toothpick for recovering pack-a-day newshounds, the substitute ritual that makes sure we don’t go back.

From Salon

Penelope would have much preferred to stay in the nursery, building triremes out of toothpicks with the children until bedtime, but she could hardly refuse Lady Constance.

From Literature

Even the way she chomps a cherry off a cocktail toothpick has menace.

From Los Angeles Times

A brown foal with a white stripe on its muzzle teetered on toothpick legs.

From Los Angeles Times