laminate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
laminates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
laminated,
past participle, past
-
laminating
present participle
-
to separate or split into thin layers.
-
to form (metal) into a thin plate, as by beating or rolling.
-
to construct from layers of material bonded together.
-
to cover or overlay with laminae.
verb (used without object)
-
laminates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
laminated,
past participle, past
-
laminating
present participle
adjective
noun
-
laminates
plural
verb
-
(tr) to make (material in sheet form) by bonding together two or more thin sheets
-
to split or be split into thin sheets
-
(tr) to beat, form, or press (material, esp metal) into thin sheets
-
(tr) to cover or overlay with a thin sheet of material
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
laminatesimple
-
laminatessimple
-
have laminatedperfect
-
has laminatedperfect
-
am laminatingprogressive
-
are laminatingprogressive
-
is laminatingprogressive
-
have been laminatingperfect progressive
-
has been laminatingperfect progressive
Past
-
laminatedsimple
-
had laminatedperfect
-
was laminatingprogressive
-
were laminatingprogressive
-
had been laminatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of laminate
From the New Latin word lāminātus, dating back to 1660–70. See lamina, -ate 1
Explanation
To laminate is to make something, especially paper, stronger and thicker by layering sheets of clear plastic over it. You might want to laminate your flimsy library card to protect it. Today all states laminate drivers' licenses, making them a sturdy plastic card rather than the insubstantial piece of paper they used to be. You might decide to laminate a poster for a school presentation you're giving, or laminate some old photos to protect them. Most methods used to laminate involve heat and some type of sticky or adhesive substance. The Latin root is lamina, "thin slice, leaf, or layer."
Vocabulary lists containing laminate
Stairway To Leaven: Baking Vocabulary
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington
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Book Scavenger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The biggest shortages are expected in advanced logic chips, chip packaging, semiconductor equipment, Ajinomoto Build-up Film substrates, high-end copper-clad laminate materials, high-bandwidth memory, and high-speed optical components, they add.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Chanel Miller has wanted to be a children’s book author and illustrator since the second grade, when she started writing stories that her teacher, Mrs. Thomas, would laminate.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2024
The only minus is that “Adam” and “Eve” will be displayed behind sheets of clear acrylic laminate, as required by the Simon Museum for virtually all paintings in its collection.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2024
They usually have just enough space for a twin-sized bed and some storage, and come equipped with a door, one or two windows, laminate flooring, lights and heat.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 9, 2023
He takes a seat at the desk, his frame casting a moving shadow over its laminate surface as he swivels the chair to face me.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Qnity also makes flexible laminates, which allow circuits to bend and fit on printed circuit boards.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 31, 2026
The furniture and partitions were made from plastics and laminates, so they cost far less.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
I walked back up the loading dock ramp with two all-access laminates, one said Bill Walton, the other said Susie Walton.”
From Seattle Times ● May 27, 2024
In particular, the study focused on an advanced composite material known as thin-ply carbon fiber laminates.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2024
Ever Credit is a unit of Kingboard Holdings, a laminates maker and property investor.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2024
I studied the pastries while pretending not to listen: tea-infused buns knotted with candied citrus, laminated pastry layered with spiced cream cheese, craggy oat muffins dotted with boysenberry preserves.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
It’s a foundation for target-date funds, pension models and financial advisers’ laminated pie chart.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Maybe add some laminated instructions with particularly tricky systems.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
From that date the MCC will allow laminated bats - known as Type D bats - made with up to three wooden pieces to be used in open age recreational cricket.
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026
The colorful laminated spines along the shelves shine white with the glare, making me squint as I push my cart of books down the aisle.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
We are not looking for a $76 grocery bill for a single meal, a sink full of mixing bowls or several hours spent laminating and proofing dough before anyone else wakes up.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
The day before, there had been a mad dash to finish printing out programs for visitors and laminating signs for the event.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2022
I then made the seemingly-safe assumption that Studio Canal, the film’s UK distributor, probably wouldn’t be laminating my work and calling me for a quote.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 9, 2015
“We spent a lot of time laminating and Velcroing,” recalls Melissa Cantwell, who teaches autistic children in Vancouver, Washington.
From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2014
But even though the baking sun is slowly laminating me, I am happy.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
