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

With an intuitive design toolkit, graphic presets and typography templates, users can create design headings for desktop publishing projects and logos for products and websites. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Plus, each order comes with more than 200 colorful pegs as well as six easy-to-follow design templates. —Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024

Like this person’s good at punch lines, and this person can write a good template for the actors to improvise from — kind of checking those boxes? —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 2024

Plus the companion app provides useful features like collages, templates, and basic filters to enhance your photos, now all for under $100. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 3 Dec. 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)