template

noun

tem·​plate ˈtem-plət  -ˌplāt 

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

Across Ahlem’s retail network, a material lexicon of walnut, metal, glass, plaster and concrete provides continuity without forcing every store into the same template. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Earlier generators required a formal model, a template or a sequence of choices inside an IDE. — Boris Kontsevoi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Darryl Jenifer, Bad Brains British bands like the Clash provided an early link in the enduring relationship between punk rock and reggae, with Paul Simonon providing a template for how bassists could tie those seemingly disparate genres together. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026

With their conceit, the clout chasers have turned his courage into a template without asking what made the original worth copying. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

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)