slate

1 of 3

noun

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
4
a
: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds)
started with a clean slate
b
: a list of candidates for nomination or election
5
a
: a dark purplish gray
b
: any of various grays similar in color to common roofing slates
slate adjective
slatelike adjective

slate

2 of 3

verb (1)

slated; slating

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

3 of 3

verb (2)

slated; slating

transitive verb

1
: to thrash or pummel severely
2
chiefly British : to criticize or censure severely

Examples of slate in a Sentence

Noun Some school blackboards are made of slate. The house has a slate roof. Verb (1) you've been slated for a three o'clock interview Verb (2) ready to slate anyone who disagreed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The neutral palette featured colors such as quartz sand beige, slate green, night blue and silver pearl. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 Filmhub, a new-model distribution outfit founded in 2016, will feature SKIT in its slate at MIPCOM later this fall as this year’s confab spotlights the creator economy. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, free agent guards De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are slated to sign deals that will bring them back to Golden State in 2025-26, sources inform Shams Charania of ESPN. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 The team is slated to remain in West Sacramento through the 2027 season, which the option for a fourth year, as their new stadium in Las Vegas is constructed. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slate

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slate was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slate. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

slate

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece of construction material (as layered rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding
2
: a dense fine-grained rock formed by compression of shales or other rocks that splits readily into thin layers or plates
3
: a tablet of material (as slate) used for writing on
4
a
: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds)
started with a clean slate
b
: a list of candidates for nomination or election
5
a
: a dark purplish gray
b
: a gray similar in color to common roofing slate
slate adjective
slatelike adjective

slate

2 of 2 verb
slated; slating
1
: to cover with slate or a slatelike substance
slate a roof
2
: to register or schedule for a special purpose or action
slate a meeting
slater noun

More from Merriam-Webster on slate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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