template

Or tem·plet

[tem-plit]

noun

1. a pattern, mold, or the like, usually consisting of a thin plate of wood or metal, serving as a gauge or guide in mechanical work.

2. anything that determines or serves as a pattern; a model.

   You can use my notes as a template for employee evaluations.

3. Building Trades.,  a horizontal piece, as of timber or stone, in a wall, to receive and distribute the pressure of a girder, beam, or the like.

4. Shipbuilding.,  either of two wedges in each of the temporary blocks forming the support for the keel of a ship while building.

5. Aerial Photogrammetry.,  any object having lines, slots, or straightedges to represent lines radiating from the center of a photograph, used for graphic triangulation.

6. Genetics.,  a strand of DNA or RNA that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of a complementary strand of nucleic acid or protein.

7. Computers.

   1. a small sheet or strip of cardboard, plastic, or the like, that fits over a portion of the keyboard and provides ready reference to the keystroke commands of a particular software program.

   2. an electronic file with a predesigned, customized format and structure, as for a fax, letter, or expense report, ready to be filled in.

8. Also called safe. a marble base for a toilet.

template

/ ˈtɛmplɪt /

noun

1. a gauge or pattern, cut out in wood or metal, used in woodwork, etc, to help shape something accurately

2. a pattern cut out in card or plastic, used in various crafts to reproduce shapes

3. a short beam, made of metal, wood, or stone, that is used to spread a load, as over a doorway

4. biochem the molecular structure of a compound that serves as a pattern for the production of the molecular structure of another specific compound in a reaction

template

1. A molecule of a nucleic acid, such as DNA, that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule of a nucleic acid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of template¹

1670–80; alteration of templet, apparently by falsely etymologizing final syllable as plate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of template¹

C17 templet (later spelling influenced by _plate ), probably from French, diminutive of _temple ³

Example Sentences

James’ laughing answer set the template for a season.

From Los Angeles Times

After New Zealand invested heavily and late in the last cycle to turn around a faltering Black Ferns side and lift the trophy, is there a template emerging?

From BBC

But there won't be a single template for Labour to follow.

From BBC

Or maybe it was a magazine like GQ or Vogue that set the template for who or what you aspired to be.

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine if he'd used that as a template for the entire album.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement 

When To Use

What does template mean?

A template is a pattern, model, or guide for the creation of some kind of project.Template is most commonly used in a general way, but it has many specific meanings depending on the context it is being used in.Example: When creating your résumé, don’t start from scratch—use a template so that you can make sure you format it properly.