slat

1 of 3

verb (1)

slatted; slatting

transitive verb

1
2
: to hurl or throw smartly

slat

2 of 3

noun

1
: a thin narrow flat strip especially of wood or metal
2
slats plural, slang : ribs
3
: an auxiliary airfoil at the leading edge of the wing of an airplane
slat adjective
slatted adjective

slat

3 of 3

verb (2)

slatted; slatting

transitive verb

: to make or equip with slats

Examples of slat in a Sentence

Noun the slats of a venetian blind The fence has two broken slats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Its top is made from strong and solid acacia wood that displays slat paneling for a more sophisticated, timeless finish. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2023 The residence now has slatted accent siding of Meranti hardwood, full-height windows framing panoramic territorial views and an entryway with a view corridor to the backyard. Jeastman, oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023 The original dual-sided fireplace wall shared by the living room and dining area is clad in reclaimed Alder slatting. Jeastman, oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023 The sleds have slatted wooden beds covered with reindeer skins, with a ledge for the driver. Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023 Keep in mind that the way in which the roof is slatted will provide more or less shade. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 28 Mar. 2023
Noun
Commissioned by Stazione Centrale, the piece evokes the mountains from which the tunnel was excavated, with paper images glued onto vertical slats and distributed to form a layered composition with the station visible behind. James Imam, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024 Sunlight between the slats of the venetian blinds like warm gauze bandages. Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 Exterior shots of the home’s front yard from around 2018 and 2019 on Google Maps show the front yard was well-kept, although plywood slats obscured the view into a backyard that contained debris. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024 Far from being an eyesore, this hamper boasts lightweight yet sturdy bamboo slats built to endure for years. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024 Individual slats have lots of knots, many of them requiring removal and replacement with inserts in Cranach’s workshop, and some during subsequent conservation. Christopher Knight, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 There are seats for 40 at the restaurant — two-top and four-top tables, mostly — including the eight-seat bar lined with warm wood slats. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024 The slats might help mitigate strikes by drones and handheld anti-tank weapons, but heavier munitions should blast right through. David Axe, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 Visit The Swinging Bridge A local landmark in its own right, the Swinging Bridge provides a little small-town thrill for those brave enough to walk across the rickety slats. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sletta to throw carelessly

Noun

Middle English sclate, slate slate

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slat was circa 1587

Dictionary Entries Near slat

Cite this Entry

“Slat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slat. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

slat

noun
ˈslat
: a thin narrow flat strip of wood, plastic, or metal
the slats of a venetian blind
slatted
ˈslat-əd
adjective

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