batik

noun

1
a
: a fabric printed by an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed
also : the method itself
b
: a design executed in batik
2
a
: a method of decorating an egg or other object by coating parts of the object's surface with wax to resist dye
… a Russian method of egg decorating known as batik.Susan Antigone
Ukrainian batik eggs
It's a 2,000-year-old art that involves painting symbolic designs on eggs in batik style.Leo Smith
b
: a design so executed
For a batik effect, hard-boil the eggs and while they are still warm criss-cross thick elastic bands around each one.Jane Phillimore et al.

Examples of batik in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Their various techniques include quilts, wax batiks, Japanese shibori, collage, botanicals, multimedia work, paintings and garments. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 From the soaring lobby atrium to the 510 rooms, the new design leans heavily on Peranakan motifs such as batik textiles and floral wallpaper. Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 The train itself has a history, too; its cars are renovated 1960s Japanese sleeper carriages originally gifted to the Thai people by Japan, outfitted with wood paneling and batik fabrics. Terry Ward, Time, 12 Mar. 2026 Even weavers of traditional Indonesian batik — a fabric made through a dyeing technique using wax — have given up trying to compete with cheap Chinese knock-offs. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for batik

Word History

Etymology

Javanese baṭik

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of batik was in 1830

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Cite this Entry

“Batik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batik. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

batik

noun
1
: an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed
2
: a design or fabric printed by batik

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