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

Officials said they would use Anduril’s Lattice software platform to validate the engineers’ work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Systems like Andromeda and Lattice allow the company to analyze a user’s full sequence of behavior to target ads with much higher accuracy.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

Meanwhile, the communications and computing segment has been “the other key growth driver” for Lattice, Vinh noted, which refers to communications infrastructure and both traditional and AI data centers.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 22, 2025

“One thing I know about my daughter — she is not a nature young lady,” her mother, Lattice Sutton, told The Times in 2010.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2024

I dwell, sir, at the sign of the Water-tankard, hard by the Green Lattice: I have paid scot and lot there any time this eighteen years.

From Every Man in His Humor by Jonson, Ben

Related Words

• filigree