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

Digital Products: Creating e-books, online courses, or digital templates involves upfront effort but minimal ongoing costs. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Kentucky Fried Movie comprised a chaotic cavalcade of sketches, many of them highly satirical film parodies, creating a kind of template for ZAZ’s forthcoming breakthrough and future successes. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024

This is an easy one to draw up — templates can be found for free on websites such as LawDepot.com. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024

Now, others are trying to follow his template, says a Wall Street Journal report today. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 24 Nov. 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)