[count] 1 a : a small, very thin object that is used in sewing and that has a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread
▪ I need a needle and thread to sew the button on your shirt. — see picture at sewing
b : one of the two long, thin sticks that are used in knitting and that are pointed at one end
c : a very thin, pointed steel tube that is pushed through the skin so that something (such as a drug) can be put into your body or so that blood or other fluids can be taken from it
▪ a hypodermic needle
d : a very thin tube used with a pump to put air into a ball (such as a basketball or football) 2 : a long, thin object that moves to point to something (such as a measurement or direction)
▪ The needle on the scale points to 9 grams. ▪ The compass needle points north. 3 : a leaf that is shaped like a very thin stick
▪ pine needles — see color picture 4 : a very small piece of metal that touches a record and produces sound when the record is played
▪ the needle of a record player