wattle

1 of 3

noun (1)

wat·​tle ˈwä-tᵊl How to pronounce wattle (audio)
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 adjective

wattle

2 of 3

verb

wattled; wattling
ˈwät-liŋ,
ˈwä-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce wattle (audio)

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Thanksgiving Give your goose a harvest look with a colorful turkey tail and wattle. Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024 The pin, commissioned by William Drummond & Co., was designed to look like the spray of a wattle and features white and yellow diamonds. Janine Henni, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for wattle 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wattle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wattle

Cite this Entry

“Wattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wattle. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wattle

1 of 3 noun
wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl How to pronounce wattle (audio)
: a framework of poles interwoven with slender branches or reeds and used in building
also : material for such a framework
wattled adjective

wattle

2 of 3 verb
wattled; wattling ˈwät-liŋ How to pronounce wattle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce wattle (audio)
: a fleshy process that hangs usually from the head or neck (as of a bird)
wattled adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wattle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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