1
: something (such as an ear of corn) that is small for its kind, stunted, undeveloped, or imperfect
2
: a small usually projecting part or bit
3
Synonyms
Examples of nubbin in a Sentence
had only a nubbin of crayon left
this nubbin of the intelligence report is the prediction that the country's government will soon fall
Recent Examples on the Web
Heffernan, a gravely captivating newcomer, wraps each expression and gesture around a hard little nubbin of distrust.
—
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
Being a bit of a handy man in a fight himself, Father Ryan taught Frankie how to roll with a punch, how to upset a right swing with a left stab to his shoulder, and how to swing in with a right cross to the nubbin of the chin while his man was off keel.
—Westbrook Pegler, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2024
That changed at 1:03 a.m. on Dec. 5 when 192 giant lasers at the laboratory’s National Ignition Facility blasted a small cylinder about the size of a pencil eraser that contained a frozen nubbin of hydrogen encased in diamond.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2022
Atoms flew off the nubbin, forcing it to implode at a speed of nearly 400 kilometers per second—about four times a bolt of lightning.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2023
With its mild flavor, a single nubbin of tteok is an equal opportunist flavor sponge.
—Bon Appétit, 24 May 2022
To serve the dish, spoon the rice into bowls, add a nubbin of butter to each one, let the butter melt for half a minute, then let each diner sprinkle several drops of soy sauce onto the rice before eating.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 Apr. 2021
The entrance features a dipping counter where signature flavors like honey-swirled Queen Bee, crunchy Churro Churro and Malt Shake, with nubbins of malt balls, are scooped.
—Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019
Chicken — rather, nubbins of chicken — make yet another appearance on a plate of gloppy pasta that’s the polar opposite of al dente and further degraded by a rumor of pesto.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2019
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Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
Being a bit of a handy man in a fight himself, Father Ryan taught Frankie how to roll with a punch, how to upset a right swing with a left stab to his shoulder, and how to swing in with a right cross to the nubbin of the chin while his man was off keel.
—Westbrook Pegler, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2024
That changed at 1:03 a.m. on Dec. 5 when 192 giant lasers at the laboratory’s National Ignition Facility blasted a small cylinder about the size of a pencil eraser that contained a frozen nubbin of hydrogen encased in diamond.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2022
Atoms flew off the nubbin, forcing it to implode at a speed of nearly 400 kilometers per second—about four times a bolt of lightning.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2023
With its mild flavor, a single nubbin of tteok is an equal opportunist flavor sponge.
—Bon Appétit, 24 May 2022
To serve the dish, spoon the rice into bowls, add a nubbin of butter to each one, let the butter melt for half a minute, then let each diner sprinkle several drops of soy sauce onto the rice before eating.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 Apr. 2021
The entrance features a dipping counter where signature flavors like honey-swirled Queen Bee, crunchy Churro Churro and Malt Shake, with nubbins of malt balls, are scooped.
—Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019
Chicken — rather, nubbins of chicken — make yet another appearance on a plate of gloppy pasta that’s the polar opposite of al dente and further degraded by a rumor of pesto.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near nubbin
Cite this Entry
“Nubbin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nubbin. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nubbin
noun
nub·bin
ˈnəb-ən 
1
: a small or imperfect ear of corn
also
: any small shriveled or undeveloped fruit
2
: a small part or bit
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