haystack

[hey-stak] / ˈheɪˌstæk /

NOUN

stack of hay

Synonyms

STRONG

hay haycock hayrick pile rick sheaf stack

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Maven was built to find the needle in the haystack.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Clough added, "As microplastic researchers looking for microplastics in the environment, we're searching for the needle in the haystack, but there really shouldn't be a needle to begin with."

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

This eliminates the costs and risks associated with pinpointing naturally occurring pockets of hot water, which are like needles in a haystack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Another rescue volunteer, named Justin, compared the effort to "trying to find a single hay in a haystack".

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

But that night a haystack somehow caught on fire.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen