To sew means to join pieces of fabric together using a needle and thread. When you sew, you push a threaded needle through cloth, making stitches that hold the material in place. You might sew a button back onto a shirt, sew a rip in your jeans, or sew fabric pieces together to create something entirely new, like a pillowcase or stuffed animal.

People have been sewing for thousands of years, long before sewing machines were invented. Every piece of clothing you wear was sewn together somehow, whether by hand or machine. Learning to sew gives you the power to fix things that tear, customize your belongings, or create original projects.

The word also appears in the phrase sew up, which means to finish something successfully or secure a victory. A basketball team might sew up the championship in the final seconds, meaning they've locked in the win and the other team can't catch up.

Sew sounds exactly like sow (planting seeds) and so (therefore), which can make spelling tricky. Remember that you sew with a needle.