template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət 

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)

b

: overlay sense c

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

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025

This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans. —Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025

The template team seems to favour Wirtz-Salah-Palmer over Saka and Haaland, while not spending a lot on defence. —Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

Free Recruiters' Time To Build Authentic Trust Use AI and automation to handle repetitive tasks—template communications, workflow automation and timely applicant dispositioning. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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)

Rhymes for template

• templet

Kids Definition

template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət 

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 

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)