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

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Etymology

Origin of lattice

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

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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

The Oxford project began in 2022, when lead author Dr. Sebastian Saner, Dr. Oana Bazavan, and their colleagues started developing a way to simulate lattice gauge theories using a hybrid quantum system.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

According to their model, electrons first become correlated through interactions with the metal's underlying lattice.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

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

Each of the four singing parts had its own duration-value sequence that started and ended at a different point, creating an overlapping lattice of notes of different lengths.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Understanding how skyrmions behave during the breakdown of their lattices could help scientists develop more precise ways to control them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

"Basically, you could have different types of order that get nucleated because of the proximity of these two frustrated lattices," he said.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 16, 2026

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

"Mechanisms that we identify for spread on circular lattices remain valid in higher dimensions," explained Rahimian.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2024

On either side of the path were cushioned couches, and all around were potted plants: artfully trimmed orange trees, flowering camellias, white roses twining up lattices along the glass walls.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo

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

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

I slid the latticed wooden doors open to my room filled with Korean lacquerware chests, an embroidered burgundy mattress and boxy woven straw pillows resembling tissue box covers.

From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2022

Satisfied that the door was now impregnable I then scuttled back to the bedroom and there leaped onto the bed by the latticed window.

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

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

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

From An History of Birmingham (1783) by William Hutton

They may see the scaffolding of the great shipyards latticing themselves against the sky, and the granite quarries against the hills.

From The Old Coast Road From Boston to Plymouth by Agnes Rothery

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Related Words

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