Basic essential items that are regularly used and always kept in supply, like food or office supplies.
From Old English 'stapol' meaning 'post' or 'stake,' which evolved to mean a marketplace or trading post. By the 13th century, it referred to principal articles of trade, then essential commodities.
Before grocery stores, 'staples' referred to official trading posts where merchants could only sell certain goods—the word literally marked the place where essentials were controlled and distributed. This is why we still call basic items 'staples' today.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.