pipe cleaner

noun

1. a short length of twisted flexible wires covered with tufted fabric, used to clean the stem of a smoker's pipe and for various handicrafts.

pipe cleaner

noun

1. a short length of thin wires twisted so as to hold tiny tufts of yarn: used to clean the stem of a tobacco pipe

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipe cleaner¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

These include any excess pieces of paper, felt, pipe cleaner and used pieces of cardboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Using borax, water, and pipe cleaners, we made our own crystals.

From Literature

About two years after arriving in the park, P-22 appeared on trail-camera footage looking gaunt, his tail as thin as a pipe cleaner.

From Los Angeles Times

The big cat showed up on trail-camera footage looking gaunt, his tail as thin as a pipe cleaner.

From Los Angeles Times

For the leaf mitts, she cut out green felt and hot-glued on green pipe cleaners.

From Seattle Times