1. A basic food item: This is the most common meaning. A staple food is something that is regularly consumed and forms the basis of a diet. Examples include rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes.
2. A small, U-shaped metal fastener: This is typically used to hold papers together.
3. Something essential or fundamental: This meaning is often used figuratively. For example, "Education is a staple of a good society."
4. A verb meaning "to fasten with staples": This is related to the second meaning.
5. A verb meaning "to establish firmly": This meaning is related to the third meaning.
To understand the specific meaning of "staple" in a particular context, consider the surrounding words and the overall meaning of the sentence.