template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət 

1

a(1)

: a gauge, pattern, or mold (such as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made

(2)

: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the generation of another macromolecule (such as messenger RNA)

b

: overlay sense c

2

: something that establishes or serves as a pattern

3

: a short piece or block placed horizontally in a wall under a beam to distribute its weight or pressure (as over a door)

Examples of template in a Sentence

The software includes templates for common marketing documents like pamphlets and flyers.

Recent Examples on the Web

This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. —Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

Another advantage of these programming tools is the ability to create a template for code, notes Saurabh Bagchi, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Apr. 2024

Another familiar template of modern SNL, every cast member gets a moment to be special, including (briefly) Molly Kearney! —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2024

Even the leading newspaper in France, Le Monde, has invoked the 1948 template as a way of understanding this year’s U.S. presidential election. —W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Despite these caveats, the new work offers a template for analyzing different kinds of neural network architectures that might eventually replace transformers. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

Cut out the hole at the top of the template and tie some ribbon through it into a bow. —Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

Spectrum has also created a pre-written email template to help ACP users urge their representatives to extend or replace the program. —Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

At least 200 templates exist for would-be attackers to use the Darcula exploit, with postal services, including the United States Postal Service, being among the most popular. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier templet in same senses (by assimilation to plate entry 1), of uncertain origin

Note: The form templet has been compared with French templet "implement on a loom for stretching cloth during weaving," a diminutive of temple in the same sense, though there is no apparent explanation for the very dissimilar senses. The relation of sense 3 (attested earlier) to sense 1 is unclear.

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət 

1

: a gauge, pattern, or mold (as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made

2

: something that establishes or serves as a pattern

Medical Definition

template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət 

1

also templet : a gauge, pattern, or mold used as a guide to the form of a piece being made

2

: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another macromolecule (as messenger RNA)