A pincushion is a small, firm cushion used to store sewing pins and needles safely. Instead of leaving sharp pins scattered on a table where they might poke someone or get lost, sewers stick them into the pincushion, where the pins stay secure and easy to grab when needed.

Traditional pincushions are stuffed tightly with sawdust, wool, or sand to keep them firm, and they're often covered in colorful fabric. Some are shaped like tomatoes (with a little strawberry attached for storing needles), while others might be squares, balls, or even whimsical shapes like animals or cakes. The tight stuffing prevents pins from sliding all the way through.

The word also describes someone who endures many small pricks or annoyances. If a doctor needs to take several blood samples from you in one visit, you might joke that you felt like a pincushion afterward. When someone keeps poking or jabbing at you with questions or criticisms, they're treating you like a pincushion.

Interestingly, some cacti are called pincushion cacti because their round shape and covering of spines make them look exactly like the sewing tool, as if nature created its own version of the helpful household item.