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

This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans. —Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024

One of the most affecting and moldable cinematic templates, found footage movies soared in popularity following The Blair Witch Project’s debut 25 years ago — but the subgenre had already been percolating for nearly 40 years before that. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2024

Although the run in Chicago will last through Feb. 1, this is to become the template for all national and international touring versions. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2024

Often, physical effects can be a template onto which visual effects are projected. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024

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)

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)