fiber

noun

fi·​ber ˈfī-bər How to pronounce fiber (audio)
1
: a thread or a structure or object resembling a thread: such as
a(1)
: a slender root (as of a grass)
(2)
: an elongated tapering thick-walled plant cell void at maturity that imparts elasticity, flexibility, and tensile strength
b(1)
: a strand of nerve tissue : axon, dendrite
(2)
: one of the filaments composing most of the intercellular matrix of connective tissue
(3)
: one of the elongated contractile cells of muscle tissue
c
: a slender and greatly elongated natural or synthetic filament (as of wool, cotton, asbestos, gold, glass, or rayon) typically capable of being spun into yarn
d
: mostly indigestible material in food (such as legumes, whole grains, and vegetables) that stimulates the intestine to peristalsis and promotes elimination of waste from the large intestine : bulk, roughage
dietary fiber
trying to get more fiber in her diet
2
: material made of fibers
especially : vulcanized fiber
3
a
: an element that gives texture or substance
b
: basic toughness : strength, fortitude
c
: essential structure or character
the very fiber of a person's being
fibered adjective

Examples of fiber in a Sentence

It's important to get enough fiber in your diet. What foods do you recommend as good sources of fiber? foods that are high in fiber The fabric is made from a mix of synthetic fibers. The natural fibers allow the fabric to breathe. The paper is made from both cotton and wood fiber. Nylon is a very strong man-made fiber. The police examined hair and bits of fiber found in the victim's car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Re-imagining the Wheel Due to their size and the presence of whorls, the pebbles were likely used as an early version of a spinning wheel to gather up fibers like wool or flax and transform it into yarn. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024 Cotton fibers are hollow inside, and carry a slight negative charge. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024 The security of the watermark comes from it being embedded into the fibers of the ballot paper during the milling process, as opposed to it simply being printed onto the paper. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Eat plenty of fiber and nutritious food to promote healthy bowel movements and reduce straining, which could worsen pain. Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fiber 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French fibre, from Latin fibra

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiber was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near fiber

Cite this Entry

“Fiber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiber. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fiber

noun
fi·​ber ˈfī-bər How to pronounce fiber (audio)
1
: a thread or a structure or object resembling a thread: as
a
: a slender root (as of a grass)
b
: a long tapering thick-walled plant cell especially of vascular tissue
c
: a muscle cell
d
e
: a slender and very long natural or synthetic unit of material (as wool, cotton, asbestos, gold, glass, or rayon) usually able to be spun into yarn
f
: mostly indigestible material in food that stimulates the intestine to move its contents along

called also bulk, roughage

2
: material made of fibers
3
: basic toughness : strength
moral fiber

Medical Definition

fiber

noun
fi·​ber
variants or chiefly British fibre
1
: a thread or a threadlike structure or object: as
a
: a strand of nerve tissue : axon, dendrite
b
: one of the filaments composing most of the intercellular matrix of connective tissue
c
: one of the elongated contractile cells of muscle tissue
2
: mostly indigestible material in food that stimulates the intestine to peristalsis

called also bulk, dietary fiber, roughage

More from Merriam-Webster on fiber

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