slate

¹ American  

[sleyt] / sleɪt /

noun

slates plural

1. a fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc., that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes, usually at an angle to the planes of stratification.

2. a thin, flat piece or plate of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material, used especially for roofing or as a writing surface.

3. slate gray.

4. a list of candidates, officers, etc., to be considered for nomination, appointment, election, or the like.

   He has added his name to the slate of mayoral candidates.

5. tablet.

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verb (used with object)

slated, slating

1. to cover with plates of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material.

   Our team has years of experience with slating and tiling roofs.

2. to write or set down for nomination or appointment.

   There are 39 lawyers hoping to be slated for judge.

3. to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time; schedule.

   The premiere was slated for January.

4. Chiefly British. to censure, scold, or criticize harshly.

   She was slated by the press for making exaggerated claims in her memoir.

5. to punish severely.

idioms

1. clean slate, a record containing no negative reports, notes about bad behavior, reprimands, failures, etc..

   After a talk with the boss about his misconduct, he was allowed to start over with a clean slate.

slate ² American  

[sleyt] / sleɪt /

verb (used with object)

British Dialect.

slated, slating

1. to sic or set a dog on (a person or animal).

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slate ¹ British  

/ sleɪt /

verb

1. to criticize harshly; censure

2. to punish or defeat severely

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slate ² British  

/ sleɪt /

noun

1. 1. a compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the effects of heat and pressure on shale. It can be split into thin layers along natural cleavage planes and is used as a roofing and paving material

   2. ( as modifier )

      a slate tile

2. a roofing tile of slate

3. (formerly) a writing tablet of slate

4. a dark grey colour, often with a purplish or bluish tinge

5. a list of candidates in an election

6. films

   1. the reference information written on a clapperboard

   2. informal the clapperboard itself

7. a record without dishonour

8. informal to be eccentric or crazy

9. informal on credit

10. informal to make a fresh start, esp by forgetting past differences

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verb

1. to cover (a roof) with slates

2. to enter (a person's name) on a list, esp on a political slate

3. 1. to choose or destine

      he was slated to go far

   2. to plan or schedule

      the trial is slated to begin in three weeks

adjective

1. of the colour slate

slate Scientific  

/ slāt /

1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock that forms when shale undergoes metamorphosis. Slate splits into thin layers with smooth surfaces. It ranges in color from gray to black or from red to green, depending on the minerals contained in the shale from which it formed.

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slate More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing slate

• clean slate

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• slates
  plural

Etymology

Origin of slate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sclate, from Middle French esclate, feminine of esclat “piece split off”; see slat ¹

Origin of slate²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English slaiten, from Old Norse sleita (unrecorded)

Explanation

Slate is a type of gray metamorphic rock that is made up of quartz and other minerals. The rock can be split into thin layers and the slate used for things like roofing tiles. In the past when paper was expensive, schoolchildren used slates to do their school work. These were usually made of actual slate rock. Students could practice their writing on the slate with a slate pencil. When they were done, the slate could be erased, which gave rise to the term "clean slate." If you've done things in the past you aren't proud of, you may hope to start over with a clean slate.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

slate slates slated slating

In some large counties, Jackson won every delegate at stake as a plurality of convention attendees simply voted for the populist Democrat’s slate.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

After sitting out last year’s event, Marvel Studios will return to Hall H on Saturday to showcase its upcoming slate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The effort calls for a blank slate by accepting new designs for seekers, rocket motors and other major components assembled into a missile that could still be fired from existing Patriot launchers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

But that only lasted a few months before he decided to revive Thotsakan – the band's "phase two" – with a new slate of musicians.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

The slate gray sea roiled, scraping the narrow strip of sand rhythmically, tugging at beach grass, digging and sucking loose the rocks at the shore's edge.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

Campaigns scrambled to offer their own slates of delegates who they thought would be pledged to them.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

With strong slates of contenders heading into the 2026 Emmys, that could change for both streamers when the nominations are announced July 8.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

Shareholders shouldn’t vote for the two other slates put forward, including the one that includes Lovaglio CEO candidate, as it isn’t in their interest, it says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026

Magazines, of course, didn’t originate the longstanding trope of a new year as a site of reinvention, clean slates, new leaves.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2026

I actually went through the chalk because a few of us girls were drawing unflattering pictures of Miss Anderson on our slates, but that is beside the point.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

The studio skipped last year's event, but will be back at the coveted Hall H on Saturday to promote "Avengers: Doomsday," which is slated to premiere in December.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Meta and the other companies settled with a Kentucky school district, averting a trial slated for June.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The National Weather Service’s heat advisory was slated to begin 10 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

One new program with $4.9 million of competitive funding available to groups to develop “civilizational self-confidence in Europe” is slated for “research, conferences, cultural engagements, and support for civil society” in wealthy democracies.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

“Y’know, I was slated to go top ten in the draft.”

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

"He was slating Nicola, saying she was lying," said Becky, who then discussed the investigation with another victim, who we're referring to as Charlotte.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2023

The Legislature voted this year to ban most private detention facilities in the state, slating the detention center for closure in 2025, when its contract with the federal government ends.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 11, 2021

This is also the last year that the tactic of slating is likely to work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2016

She skipped Thursday’s candidate slating, saying party leaders haven’t favored her before and weren’t going to pick her.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 14, 2016

Up to the first floor, the exterior is of stone in rough-hewn blocks with a distinct batter, while extra protection from weather is afforded by green slating above.

From The Purple Cloud by Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps)

Related Words

• ballot
• roster