chopstick

noun

chop·​stick ˈchäp-ˌstik 

plural chopsticks

: one of a pair of slender sticks (as of wood or plastic) held between the thumb and fingers and used to lift food to the mouth

Never spear food with a chopstick! If you're having trouble picking up your food, a spoon is your plan B.

—Laura Barry

—usually used in plural

To eat rice, both etiquette and practicality dictate that you use chopsticks to pick up a morsel of meat, fish, or whatever …; position it over the rice bowl, allowing its juices or sauce to drip into the rice; eat the morsel; then shovel some rice into your mouth with the chopsticks.

—Saveur

"… I do get uncomfortable when people use chopsticks for every Asian food. Traditionally, I may use chopsticks when my food is served in a soup bowl with noodles or rice, but we often use forks and spoons for our dishes. …"

—Darrell Loo, quoted in Feast

Illustration of chopstick

Examples of chopstick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Poke a pencil, chopstick or wooden skewer vertically into the center of the circular base from below. —Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024

Long Utensils Like Spatulas, Tongs, and Serving Spoons Many dishwashers have designated spaces on the top rack for long utensils like tongs, spatulas, serving spoons, and reusable chopsticks. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024

The eight-piece stainless steel set comes with a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, straight straw, bent straw, straw cleaning brush, and carrying case. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024

Royce sits on Wilson's lap at the table while holding up chopsticks, and Agruma gives Wilson a big kiss on the cheek. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Chinese Pidgin English chop fast + English stick

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chopstick

noun

chop·​stick ˈchäp-ˌstik 

: one of a pair of slender sticks used chiefly in Asian countries to lift food to the mouth