battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ 
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to grow fat
b
: to feed gluttonously
2
: to grow prosperous especially at the expense of another
—usually used with on
1
a
British
: a piece of lumber used especially for flooring
b
: a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or reinforce a joint
2
: a strip, bar, or support resembling or used similarly to a batten (as in a sail)
battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to furnish with battens
2
: to fasten with or as if with battens
—often used with down
: to make one secure by or as if by battens
battening down for the hurricane
Did you know?
What Is the Origin of Batten
Batten comes from the name for an iron bar used to secure the covering of a hatchway on a ship, which was especially useful in preparation of stormy weather. The verb batten is used in variations of the phrase "batten down the hatches," which means "to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation." It winds back to Latin battuere, meaning "to beat."
Examples of batten in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Sheila stares downward, as though battening her emotional hatches.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 13 June 2023
Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
It’s also reinforced with water-resistant cedar battens that help the roof blend into the larger structure.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for batten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
An official with Smit Salvage, which is part of the salvage team led by TMC Marine, told CNN that the hatches appear open, meaning the crew may not have battened them down as the storm approached.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Sheila stares downward, as though battening her emotional hatches.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 13 June 2023
Noun
There are a few elements still in the works, including a spa and the soon-to-open Sycamore House, a board-and-batten structure that will include eight additional guest rooms.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
It’s also reinforced with water-resistant cedar battens that help the roof blend into the larger structure.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for batten
Cite this Entry
“Batten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batten. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
batten
1 of 2 noun
bat·ten
ˈbat-ᵊn
1
: a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or strengthen a joint
2
: a strip, bar, or support like or used like a batten (as in a sail)
batten
2 of 2 verb
battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ,
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to get ready especially for stormy weather by or as if by fastening everything down
—usually used with down
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share