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
see also:
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
Examples of pat in a Sentence
Noun
She gave the dog a quick 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Sammon, New York Times, 5 June 2026
An officer performed a pat-down and found a gun concealed on the driver's body.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pat
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Noun
The smiles were wider, the pats on the back firmer.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 5 June 2026
An officer performed a pat-down and found a gun concealed on the driver's body.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Verb
After Munich this year, Shelton patted himself on the back.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pat
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pat. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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