1
: a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2
: a light tapping often rhythmical sound
3
: something (such as butter) shaped into a small flat usually square individual portion
patted; patting
1
: to strike lightly with a flat instrument
2
: to flatten, smooth, or put into place or shape with light blows
3
: to tap or stroke gently with the hand to soothe, caress, or show approval
: to strike or beat gently
patent
point after touchdown
Examples of pat in a Sentence
Noun
She gave the dog a quick pat.
Adverb
after months of practicing for the competition, the cheerleaders have their moves down pat
Verb
The child gently patted the dog's head.
He patted my knee and told me everything would be fine.
He patted his hair down.
She patted the dough into a square.
He patted the lettuce dry with a paper towel.
Adjective
The movie's pat ending was a disappointment.
His explanation was too pat to be believable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
GiveToby the sleepy Golden Retriever at Green Mountain Orchards a pat on the head before picking apples and snagging yourself an apple cider donut (a reward for all of your hard work, of course).
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020
To use, soak the disc about 15 minutes, pat dry, and snap in place.
—Jean Kressy, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2019
Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Instead, Mahomes patted Branch on the shoulder pad.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
This run-in all seems too pat, too staged, too likely.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
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Noun
Place shrimp in a medium bowl and pat dry.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
GiveToby the sleepy Golden Retriever at Green Mountain Orchards a pat on the head before picking apples and snagging yourself an apple cider donut (a reward for all of your hard work, of course).
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The 2016 draft was the last time the Bengals stayed pat through all seven rounds.
—Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020
To use, soak the disc about 15 minutes, pat dry, and snap in place.
—Jean Kressy, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2019
Verb
Quaid was seen patting his former costars’ shoulders and giving them words of encouragement before the performance.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Instead, Mahomes patted Branch on the shoulder pad.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Online antique shop owner and past ex-pat, Emily Mabe of Willow and Pearls in Spanish Fort, Alabama, says hunting for copper in France was among her favorite things to find.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
This run-in all seems too pat, too staged, too likely.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pat. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pat
1 of 3 noun1
: a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2
: a light tapping sound
3
: something (as butter) shaped into a small flat portion
pat
2 of 3 verb
patted; patting
1
: to strike lightly with the hand or a flat instrument : strike or beat gently
2
: to flatten, smooth, or shape with pats
3
: to tap or stroke gently with the hand to soothe or to show affection or approval
pat
3 of 3 adjective
patter; pattest
2
: learned exactly
have a lesson down pat
3
: firm entry 1 sense 2b, unyielding
stand pat
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