wattle

1 of 3

noun (1)

wat·​tle ˈwä-tᵊl 

1

a

: a fabrication of poles interwoven with slender branches, withes, or reeds and used especially formerly in building

b

: material for such construction

c

wattles plural : poles laid on a roof to support thatch

2

Australia : acacia sense 2

wattled

ˈwä-tᵊld 

adjective

wattle

2 of 3

verb

wattled; wattling

ˈwät-liŋ,

ˈwä-tᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to form or build of or with wattle

2

a

: to form into wattle : interlace to form wattle

b

: to unite or make solid by interweaving light flexible material

wattle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a fleshy pendulous process usually about the head or neck (as of a bird)

Examples of wattle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Part bug snug and part wattle fence, a dead hedge is a sturdy structure that provides habitat for wildlife and also functions as an inexpensive garden fence. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2024

Invasive black wattle, pine and gum trees crowd the jagged slopes that encircle this region’s sprawling wine lands, displacing native vegetation and choking off precious water that would otherwise trickle into the city’s reservoirs. —Katharine Houreld, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024

In the end, a prosthetic neck wattle piece was used to give that sagging, aged look to that area. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Feb. 2024

All the spin-off offices are represented: magnolias from New Orleans, roses from L.A., golden wattles from Sydney, plumerias from Hawai'i, and cherry blossoms from the Far East office, where Knight’s (Katrina Law) father is stationed. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English wattel, from Old English watel; akin to Old High German wadal bandage

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1513, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wattle

• wattle and daub

Kids Definition

wattle

1 of 3 noun

wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl 

: a framework of poles interwoven with slender branches or reeds and used in building

also : material for such a framework

wattled

-ᵊld 

adjective

wattle

2 of 3 verb

wattled; wattling ˈwät-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to form or build of or with wattle

2

a

: to weave (as branches) together to form wattle

b

: to unite or make solid by weaving together light flexible material

wattle

3 of 3 noun

: a fleshy flap of skin hanging usually from the neck (as of a bird)

Medical Definition

wattle

noun

wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl 

: a fleshy process that hangs usually from the head or neck (as of a bird)

wattled

-ᵊld 

adjective