What does broomstick mean?
A broomstick is the long wooden handle of a broom, though in everyday speech it often refers to the entire broom itself. The word is most widely recognized for its role in European folklore, where witches were said to fly on broomsticks — an image that remains central to Halloween imagery, fairy tales, and modern fantasy from The Wizard of Oz to Harry Potter. In literal use, a broomstick is simply the tool used for sweeping floors, typically made of wood with a straight cylindrical shaft. Because of this double life, the word can sound mundane in one context ('lean the broomstick against the wall') and magical in another ('she mounted her broomstick and took off'). Its folkloric association gives it a playful, slightly nostalgic tone, making it a favorite word in storytelling, seasonal decoration, and children's literature.
The long handle of a broom, or the broom considered as a whole.
"He propped the broomstick in the corner of the kitchen."
In domestic contexts, 'broom' is more common than 'broomstick' when referring to the whole implement.
(In folklore and fiction) the traditional flying implement ridden by witches.
"Legend says the witch flew by night on her broomstick."
This sense dominates popular culture, appearing constantly around Halloween.
Regular plural formation.
"The shop sold decorated broomsticks for the Halloween parade."
Witches weren't always shown flying on broomsticks — early medieval illustrations had them riding pitchforks and even animals before the broom became the iconic vehicle of folklore.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of broomstick
Broomstick is a straightforward English compound of 'broom' (the sweeping implement) and 'stick' (a slender piece of wood). The word 'broom' itself originally referred to the shrubby flowering plant of that name, whose twigs were bound together to make early sweeping brushes before the term transferred to the finished tool. The compound has been in use since at least the early modern period, and its folkloric sense — the witch's flying vehicle — developed alongside centuries of European witch-lore imagery.
How broomstick is actually used
The word carries strong folkloric and whimsical connotations thanks to its association with witches; in literal domestic use it sounds slightly old-fashioned compared to simply saying 'broom'.
Easily confused with broomstick
A broom is the complete sweeping tool including bristles, while a broomstick is strictly the handle — though in folklore contexts 'broomstick' often stands in for the whole broom.