template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət How to pronounce template (audio)
1
a(1)
: a gauge, pattern, or mold (such as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
(2)
: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the generation of another macromolecule (such as messenger RNA)
2
: something that establishes or serves as a pattern
3
: a short piece or block placed horizontally in a wall under a beam to distribute its weight or pressure (as over a door)

Examples of template in a Sentence

The software includes templates for common marketing documents like pamphlets and flyers.
Recent Examples on the Web In fact, late baby boomers offer a template for the way a big sub-generation moves through the economy. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Does this template truly convey the depth of our concern? Chris Briggs, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 There’s one thing that separates Drive-Away Dolls from the usual pulp-fiction deconstruction template that the brothers had perfected in the past, however. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 In 1945, the infamous gangster Bugsy Siegel bullied his way into development of the luxury Flamingo resort, creating a template for the super-casinos to come. Chris Carra, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024 Rizzo and Ferris believe their chip shows off a template for open-source hardware development that other collaborations will replicate. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Feb. 2024 This proved such a success that San Francisco’s Chinatown became the template for Chinatowns all over the world. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Still, even if the bill passes the Senate only to die in the House eventually, this bill will serve as a template for future discussions on regulating children’s privacy. Owen Tedford, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'template.' 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

alteration of earlier templet in same senses (by assimilation to plate entry 1), of uncertain origin

Note: The form templet has been compared with French templet "implement on a loom for stretching cloth during weaving," a diminutive of temple in the same sense, though there is no apparent explanation for the very dissimilar senses. The relation of sense 3 (attested earlier) to sense 1 is unclear.

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of template was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near template

Cite this Entry

“Template.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/template. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

template

noun
tem·​plate ˈtem-plət How to pronounce template (audio)
1
: a gauge, pattern, or mold (as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
2
: something that establishes or serves as a pattern

Medical Definition

template

noun
tem·​plate ˈtem-plət How to pronounce template (audio)
1
also templet : a gauge, pattern, or mold used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
2
: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another macromolecule (as messenger RNA)

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