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noun

haystack

HAY-stak

Haystack (noun) means a large stacked pile of hay left out in a field. Example: “The children loved jumping off the haystack into the loose straw below.”

noun
1
A large stacked pile of hay left out in a field.
"The children loved jumping off the haystack into the loose straw below."
2
A large collection of things through which it is very hard to find one particular item.
"Finding that one email in his inbox was like finding a needle in a haystack."

How to use haystack

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA big mound of hay, or figuratively, an overwhelming pile of stuff to search through.

Common pairings
needle in a haystack pile of hay into a haystack

Word forms

haystacks plural

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The children loved jumping off the _____ into the loose straw below.

Etymology

From Middle English hey stak, simply "hay" plus "stack."

Origin: Middle English

rick hayrick

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “haystack” mean?

The word “haystack” means a large stacked pile of hay left out in a field. In plain terms, a big mound of hay, or figuratively, an overwhelming pile of stuff to search through.

How do you pronounce “haystack”?

“Haystack” is pronounced HAY-stak (/ˈheɪˌstæk/ in IPA).

How do you use “haystack” in a sentence?

Here is “haystack” used in a sentence: “The children loved jumping off the haystack into the loose straw below.”

What part of speech is “haystack”?

“Haystack” is a noun.

Where does the word “haystack” come from?

The word “haystack” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hey stak, simply "hay" plus "stack.".

How many meanings does “haystack” have?

“Haystack” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large stacked pile of hay left out in a field.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial