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

Source: The National Weather Service This article was generated by the CA Weather Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2025

This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. —Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025

Running Point has a paper-thin relationship with its pro-basketball setting, which the show populates with threadbare archetypes who feel like template imports from Ted Lasso. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025

As for corporate caution, well, there’s a template of someone doing the pushback thing right now. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 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)