staple

1. A town containing merchants who have exclusive right, under royal authority, to purchase or produce certain goods for export; also, the body of such merchants seen as a group. (countable, uncountable)
2. Place of supply; source. (countable, uncountable)
3. The principal commodity produced in a town or region. (countable, uncountable)
4. A basic or essential supply. (countable, uncountable) · Rice is a staple in the diet of many cultures.
5. A recurring topic, character, or item. (countable, uncountable) · Lurid stories are a staple of tabloid journalism.
6. Short fiber, as of cotton, sheep’s wool, or the like, which can be spun into yarn or thread. (countable, uncountable) · Tow is flax with short staple.
7. Unmanufactured material; raw material. (countable, uncountable)

Plural staples