fatten

verb

fat·​ten ˈfa-tᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening ˈfat-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfa-tə-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to make fat, fleshy, or plump
especially : to feed (an animal) for slaughter
b
: to make more substantial
2
: to make fertile

intransitive verb

: to become fat
fattener
ˈfat-nər How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfa-tə-nər
noun

Examples of fatten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That no amount of water conservation in the home, on the golf course, or in the swimming pools and fountains of Los Angeles and Las Vegas will make a difference as long as half of the country’s water supply is used to fatten cattle. Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2023 The people who fatten their chickens most effectively are paid the most. Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 That’s six more games for the Huskies to fatten their record and be on pace for an 11th regular-season Big East championship The best in the Big East was a title that used to belong to Villanova. Dan Gelston, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 The reserve is also an important spot along the Pacific Flyway, a major bird migration route, where seabirds nest in eucalyptus groves and fatten up in the rich estuary habitat. Alix Soliman, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2024 Many companies jacked up the charges by more than what was required to cover their rising costs, and that fattened their profit margins. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 One key difference between the northern and southern species is that the northern elephant seals spend a few more days fattening up on mother’s milk. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024 The bears living along Alaska's Brooks River have spent the summer fattening up on salmon, berries and grasses in preparation for their annual winter hibernation, according to Katmai National Park. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2023 Baby boomers are flush, with high interest rates fattening their savings accounts. Alexandra Semenova, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fatten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatten was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near fatten

Cite this Entry

“Fatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatten. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatten

verb
fat·​ten ˈfat-ᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening ˈfat-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become fat
fattener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fatten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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