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

In particular, the electron structure of the ultrathin ruthenium dioxide had to experience lattice strain, which places pressure on the material's atomic structure.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

To investigate these collisions under tightly controlled conditions, the team used an optical lattice.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

They’d bent them and twisted them around and through each other to weave a wooden lattice, then hung it high above a deep pit filled with logs, leaves, and kindling.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

The researchers also simulated the equations using finer lattices than previous studies, further improving precision and reducing possible errors.

From Science Daily ● May 19, 2026

Just as magnetic interactions can be frustrated in certain lattice structures, these dimers can also face restrictions in geometries such as triangular lattices or honeycomb networks.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 16, 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

He turned over on his back and looked weakly up into the sky through the high shifting lattices of fight.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

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

Its floor is latticed with telecommunication cables and pipes that, as had been warned, are not closely monitored.

From New York Times ● Dec. 26, 2022

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 bridge itself was a latticed arc of timber, like an old-fashioned roller coaster, about fifty meters long.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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

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

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

Related Words

• filigree