Definition of straw

The word "straw" comes from the Old English word "strāw," which originally referred to the dry stem of a cereal grain, such as wheat or rye, that is left behind after the grain has been threshed and winnowed. The Old English word likely derives from an earlier Germanic language, as the Old High German word for straw was "strow," and the Old Saxon word was "strāu." In Old English, the term "straw" was also used to refer to the dry, brittle residue that remained in the threshing floor after grain had been threshed. This straw was often used as a bedding material, as its dry, fibrous nature made it a good insulator and provided some cushioning for animals. Over time, the use of the word "straw" has expanded to include any dry, flexible material that can be used for similar purposes, such as wheat straw, rice straw, and sugarcane stalks. Today, straw is widely used in agricultural and industrial contexts for applications as varied as bedding for livestock, packaging materials, and as a raw material in the production of products such as paper, textiles, and composite materials.