A bristle is a stiff hair or feather. Also used are synthetic materials such as nylon or straw in items such as brooms and sweepers. Bristles are often used to make brushes for cleaning uses, as they are strongly abrasive; common examples include the toothbrush and toilet brush. The Bristle Brush is a common household cleaning tool, often used to remove dirt or grease from pots and pans.

"Bristle" is also a humourous misspelling of Bristol, in imitation of the local dialect in the English city of that name, popularised by the book Krek Waiter's Peak Bristle ("Correct Way to Speak Bristol").

Animal anatomy