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.

---

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

---

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

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

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

The researchers said that protecting or stabilizing this lattice may offer a new way to slow neurodegeneration.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

In the team's latest work, the newly identified superconductors, YRu3B2 and LuRu3B2, owe their properties to electrons forming flat bands within a kagome lattice, a geometric arrangement inspired by traditional Japanese basket weaving patterns.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026

It was made from two sheets of metal lattice mesh, which HSE inspectors determined was poorly designed.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Xan spent well over half a day just trying to find it, and once she did, it was a full hour of hard labor just to dislodge the lattice of persistent ivy.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

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

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

Based on this insight, they developed the theoretical framework of "optical thermodynamics," describing how light in nonlinear lattices can undergo processes analogous to expansion, compression, and even phase transitions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 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

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

General Electric relies on 3-D printing to make fuel nozzles for jet engines, Stryker makes spinal implants and Adidas prints latticed soles for high-end running shoes.

From New York Times ● Jul. 3, 2022

On the end of his nose there was a latticed impression from the front screen door.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

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 latticing might be very much stronger than necessary, but it would not add anything to the strength of the column to resist compression.

From Some Mooted Questions in Reinforced Concrete Design American Society of Civil Engineers, Transactions, Paper No. 1169, Volume LXX, Dec. 1910 by Edward Godfrey

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