slate

1 of 3

noun

ˈslāt 

1

: a piece of construction material (such as laminated rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding

2

: a dense fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments (such as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic cleavage

3

: a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on

4

a

: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds)

started with a clean slate

b

: a list of candidates for nomination or election

5

a

: a dark purplish gray

b

: any of various grays similar in color to common roofing slates

slate adjective

slatelike

ˈslāt-ˌlīk 

adjective

slate

2 of 3

verb (1)

slated; slating

transitive verb

1

: to cover (something) with slate or a slatelike substance

slate a roof

2

: to designate (someone or something) for a specified purpose or action occurring especially at a fixed time

was slated to direct the play

The new model is slated [=scheduled] for release early next year.

slate

3 of 3

verb (2)

slated; slating

transitive verb

1

: to thrash or pummel severely

2

chiefly British : to criticize or censure severely

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• catalog
• catalogue
• enroll
• enrol
• enter
• index
• inscribe
• list
• put down
• record
• register
• schedule

Verb (2)

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• pummel
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup
• work over

Examples of slate in a Sentence

Noun

Some school blackboards are made of slate.

The house has a slate roof.

Verb (1)

you've been slated for a three o'clock interview

Verb (2)

ready to slate anyone who disagreed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Based in Rome and Los Angeles, the Italian production and distribution company’s upcoming slate includes a Maserati biopic written and directed by Bobby Moresco, and the biopic Ferrari vs Mercedes, also directed by Moresco. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024

There are no repeat electors from 2020 on this year’s Republican slates for Arizona and Georgia, the other two states where fake electors signed certificates incorrectly declaring Trump the winner. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024

The latter stages of the Fever-Sun affair will conflict with the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET slate, which includes a nearly national broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Baltimore Ravens with Tom Brady in the booth. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2024

Find out how and when to watch all of Hallmark's 2024 holiday slate, which stars Tamera Mowry-Housley, Lacey Chabert, Jordan Fisher, and more. —EW.com, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sclate, slate, from Anglo-French *esclat, from esclater to splinter, break off, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zesleizzen, slīzan to tear apart — more at slit

Verb (2)

probably alteration of slat entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing slate

• blank slate
• clean slate
• slate black
• slate blue
• slate gray
• wipe the slate clean

Kids Definition

slate

1 of 2 noun

ˈslāt 

1

: a piece of construction material (as layered rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding

2

: a dense fine-grained rock formed by compression of shales or other rocks that splits readily into thin layers or plates

3

: a tablet of material (as slate) used for writing on

4

a

: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds)

started with a clean slate

b

: a list of candidates for nomination or election

5

a

: a dark purplish gray

b

: a gray similar in color to common roofing slate

slate adjective

slatelike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

slate

2 of 2 verb

slated; slating

1

: to cover with slate or a slatelike substance

slate a roof

2

: to register or schedule for a special purpose or action

slate a meeting

slater noun