slate

noun

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\ ˈslāt

Definition of slate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a piece of construction material (such as laminated rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding

2 : a dense fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments (such as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic cleavage

3 : a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on

4a : a written or unwritten record (as of deeds) started with a clean slate

b : a list of candidates for nomination or election

5a : a dark purplish gray

b : any of various grays similar in color to common roofing slates

slate

verb (1)

slated; slating

Definition of slate (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cover (something) with slate or a slatelike substance slate a roof

2 : to designate (someone or something) for a specified purpose or action occurring especially at a fixed time was slated to direct the play The new model is slated [=scheduled] for release early next year.

slate

verb (2)

slated; slating

Definition of slate (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to thrash or pummel severely

2 chiefly British : to criticize or censure severely

Other Words from slate More Example Sentences Learn More About slate

Examples of slate in a Sentence

Noun Some school blackboards are made of slate. The house has a slate roof.

History and Etymology for slate

Noun

Middle English sclate, slate, from Anglo-French *esclat, from esclater to splinter, break off, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zesleizzen, slīzan to tear apart — more at slit

Verb (2)

probably alteration of slat entry 1