ˈpa-də-ˌkāk 
ˈpat-ə-
variant of patty-cake
: a game in which two participants (such as mother and child) clap their hands together to the rhythm of an accompanying nursery rhyme
pat·ty-cake
ˈpa-tē-ˌkāk
variants
or pat-a-cake
ˈpa-də-ˌkāk
ˈpat-ə-
: a game in which two participants (such as mother and child) clap their hands together to the rhythm of an accompanying nursery rhyme
Examples of pat-a-cake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Holly Garcia, Parents, 2 Feb. 2026
By 12 months, the child does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Some played patty-cake to pass the time before doors opened, while others sported Paramore tote bags and Bleachers T-shirts.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
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Noun
Talking to them or playing games like pat-a-cake puts words and motions together.
—Holly Garcia, Parents, 2 Feb. 2026
By 12 months, the child does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Vitello made this much clear during his pregame session with reporters Monday: The time for playing patty-cake is over.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Some played patty-cake to pass the time before doors opened, while others sported Paramore tote bags and Bleachers T-shirts.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat-a-cake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pat-a-cake. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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