pattern

[ pat-ern; British pat-n ]

/ ˈpæt ərn; British ˈpæt n /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pattern ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a decorative design, as for wallpaper, china, or textile fabrics, etc.

decoration or ornament having such a design.

a natural or chance marking, configuration, or design: patterns of frost on the window.

a distinctive style, model, or form: a new pattern of army helmet.

a combination of qualities, acts, tendencies, etc., forming a consistent or characteristic arrangement: the behavior patterns of teenagers.

an original or model considered for or deserving of imitation: Our constitution has been a pattern for those of many new republics.

anything fashioned or designed to serve as a model or guide for something to be made: a paper pattern for a dress.

a sufficient quantity of material for making a garment.

the path of flight established for an aircraft approaching an airport at which it is to land.

a diagram of lines transmitted occasionally by a television station to aid in adjusting receiving sets; test pattern.

Metallurgy. a model or form, usually of wood or metal, used for giving the shape of the interior of a mold.

Numismatics. a coin, either the redesign of an existing piece or the model for a new one, submitted for authorization as a regular issue.

an example, instance, sample, or specimen.

Gunnery, Aerial Bombing.

the distribution of strikes around a target at which artillery rounds have been fired or on which bombs have been dropped.
a diagram showing such distribution.

verb (used with object)

to make or fashion after or according to a pattern.

to cover or mark with a pattern.

Chiefly British Dialect.

to imitate.
to attempt to match or duplicate.

verb (used without object)

to make or fall into a pattern.

Nearby words

patrón, patsy, patten, patter, patter song, pattern, pattern bargaining, pattern bombing, pattern practice, pattern recognition, pattern sensitive epilepsy

Origin of pattern

1325–75; Middle English patron < Medieval Latin patrōnus model, special use of Latin patrōnus patron

SYNONYMS FOR pattern

1 figure.

4 kind, sort.

6 example, exemplar.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pattern ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pat·tern·a·ble, adjectivepat·terned, adjectivepat·tern·er, nounpat·tern·less, adjective

pat·tern·like, adjectivepat·tern·y, adjectivenon·pat·terned, adjectivere·pat·tern, verb (used with object)sem·i·pat·terned, adjectivesub·pat·tern, nounun·pat·terned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for patterns

By the time the police caught up to Sanders, they knew even more about his patterns and practices.
The Supreme Court Must Right the Wrong Done to Billy Wayne Cope|Andrew Cohen|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Over time, the patterns of gunplay and stabbings reminded Slutkin of the diseases crossing rural Africa.
Using Strategies Reserved for Disease Outbreak, Activists Try to “Cure” Urban Violence|Sarah Kunst|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Patterns are created in house, and then the tailors take them home to complete.
The Last "Real" Couture House|Liza Foreman|March 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A scarf and bag in contrasting shades and patterns enhanced this busy, but feminine, look.
Art Takes the Runway at Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2014 London Fashion Week|Liza Foreman|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The three separate works depict a deconstructed suit restricted into various shapes and patterns such as the Batman logo.
Aces High: Where to Buy Affordable Art|Justin Jones|February 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not only large substantial things like furniture, but curtains and the patterns of stuffs and the fringes of quilts and cushions.
Bliss, and Other Stories|Katherine Mansfield
Each chief has three bands on the cheek, but with variant colors and patterns.
Myths and Legends of the Great Plains|Unknown
We copy two of the most graceful costumes in the recent books of patterns.
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851|Various
It was a very pretty shawl, with goldy marks or patterns on it.
Peterkin|Mary Louisa Molesworth
These patterns state length of skirt, waist and hip measure and quantity of material required in all widths.
Textiles and Clothing|Kate Heintz Watson

British Dictionary definitions for patterns (1 of 2)

pattern

/ (ˈpætən) /

noun

an arrangement of repeated or corresponding parts, decorative motifs, etcalthough the notes seemed random, a careful listener could detect a pattern

a decorative designa paisley pattern

a stylevarious patterns of cutlery

a plan or diagram used as a guide in making somethinga paper pattern for a dress

a standard way of moving, acting, etctraffic patterns

a model worthy of imitationa pattern of kindness

a representative sample

a wooden or metal shape or model used in a foundry to make a mould

the arrangement of marks made in a target by bullets
a diagram displaying such an arrangement

verb (tr)

(often foll by after or on) to model

to arrange as or decorate with a pattern

Word Origin for pattern

C14 patron, from Medieval Latin patrōnus example, from Latin: patron 1

British Dictionary definitions for patterns (2 of 2)

pattern

patron

/ (ˈpætərn) /

noun

Irish an outdoor assembly with religious practices, traders' stalls, etc on the feast day of a patron saint

Word Origin for pattern

C18: variant of patron 1; see pattern 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012