rattan
Americannoun
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Also called rattan palm. any of various climbing palms of the genus Calamus or allied genera.
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the tough stems of such palms, used for wickerwork, canes, etc.
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a stick or switch of this material.
noun
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any of the climbing palms of the genus Calamus and related genera, having tough stems used for wickerwork and canes
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the stems of such plants collectively
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a stick made from one of these stems
Etymology
Origin of rattan
First recorded in 1600–10; by uncertain mediation from Malay rōtan, alleged to derive from rout “scrape off, trim” with -an nominalizing suffix
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.
But its humble origins—as an open-latticework structure made of rattan bars bound together with balls of hand-tied-twine knots—are evident, underscoring its manufacture and transformation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025
All have an airy feel, thanks to linen curtains, rattan light fixtures, hardwood floors and views of the Bay of Cannes.
From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2024
Hugh Hayden creates new sculptures from rare indigenous timbers, rattan, cast iron, church pews, hair, and souvenir African sculptures and examines their complex histories to address themes of assimilation, agency and acceptance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2023
“Sepak” is the word in Malay for “kick,” and “takraw” has its origin in the the Thai language and means “woven rattan ball.”
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2023
There was a rattan throw mat on the floor.
From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
