lattice

American  

[lat-is] / ˈlæt ɪs /

noun

• lattices
  plural

1. a structure of crossed wooden or metal strips usually arranged to form a diagonal pattern of open spaces between the strips.

   Synonyms:

   grid, screen, grille, trellis

2. a window, gate, or the like consisting of such a structure.

3. Physics. the structure of fissionable and nonfissionable materials geometrically arranged within a nuclear reactor.

4. Also called Bravais lattice, crystal lattice, space lattice. Crystallography. an arrangement in space of isolated points lattice points in a regular pattern, showing the positions of atoms, molecules, or ions in the structure of a crystal.

5. Mathematics. a partially ordered set in which every subset containing exactly two elements has a greatest lower bound or intersection and a least upper bound or union.

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verb (used with object)

latticed, latticing

1. to furnish with a lattice or latticework.

2. to form into or arrange like latticework.

lattice British  

/ ˈlætɪs /

noun

1. Also called: latticework. an open framework of strips of wood, metal, etc, arranged to form an ornamental pattern

2. 1. a gate, screen, etc, formed of such a framework

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lattice window

3. something, such as a decorative or heraldic device, resembling such a framework

4. an array of objects or points in a periodic pattern in two or three dimensions, esp an array of atoms, ions, etc, in a crystal or an array of points indicating their positions in space See also Bravais lattice

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verb

1. to make, adorn, or supply with a lattice or lattices

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• latticed
  adjective
• latticelike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lattices
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lattice

1350–1400; Middle English latis < Middle French lattis, derivative of latte lath < Germanic; see lath

Explanation

A lattice is a decorative wooden frame or fence. Your grandmother's prize garden might include a lattice covered in bright pink roses. An ornamental design — made usually of wood — that you might see on the porch of a house or a garden trellis, is a lattice. Lattice is often made of a criss-crossed, diamond pattern of wood or metal slats. Lattice is a nice material for a porch because it lets in air and light but still gives privacy. You can also call something that resembles such a pattern lattice, like lattice wallpaper, or a lattice-patterned silver necklace.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lattice lattices latticed latticing

Bird's nest fungi resemble miniature nests complete with tiny eggs, while the rare red cage fungus forms a vivid crimson lattice structure.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

One of Certor’s top models has an impact-absorbing inner lattice designed around the scan of an athlete’s head.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

For instance, vibrations moving through a crystal lattice can be described as quasiparticles known as phonons.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

"The strain-dependent nature suggests that we may be able to use lattice strain as a tuning knob to induce or control altermagnetism," Zhang said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

A lattice crisscrossed the window and made me feel as if I were imprisoned.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

In Australia, First Graphene says it has found a way to slow the spread of fire in plastics by adding graphene – tiny flakes of carbon atoms arranged in honeycomb lattices.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2025

"About a decade ago, there was a seminal publication that found out that Maxwell lattices can exhibit a topological phase," McInerney said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2025

Instead, they make padding out of a network of hexagonal towers, or "plate lattices," that look a bit like honeycombs.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 5, 2024

In recent years, physicists have found that the geometric arrangement of atoms in some 2D crystals, like Kagome lattices, can also produce flat bands.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 29, 2024

Now the shadows become regular; the lattices generate ordered and readable silhouettes.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A piped-in soundtrack simulates urban din, and latticed wood alcoves emulate storefronts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 2026

Glasgow's coat of arms includes a tree, a bird, a fish and a bell - but this giant steel latticed structure beside the Clyde has become an unofficial emblem of the city.

From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2026

Board fencing is the most common way to get the job done, but using latticed or custom-grid fencing can offer more depth and interest.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 17, 2023

The Sultana, who is a stout but beautiful young woman, sat upon silk cushions striped with silver, near a latticed window overlooking the sea.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

The window was latticed with iron bars, and there was only the one door.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Its narrator is an Ohio housewife who reflects on her past, her family and her country while latticing cherry pies.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2019

We got a sense that this episode would be awkward, but the thread latticing the episode turned out to be much darker.

From Time ● Apr. 9, 2012

The nation displayed their love to Charles the Second, by latticing the forests.

From An History of Birmingham (1783) by William Hutton

He was completely hidden, except in front, where the wicker latticing did not extend.

From The Radio Boys on the Mexican Border by Gerald Breckenridge

It was erected Mexican fashion, the roof supported on stout poles, and then mudded walls were built up on arrowweed latticing.

From Mormon Settlement in Arizona A Record of Peaceful Conquest of the Desert by James H. McClintock

Related Words

• filigree