template

American  

[tem-plit] / ˈtɛm plɪt /

Or templet

noun

1. a pattern, mold, or the like, usually consisting of a thin plate of wood or metal, serving as a gauge or guide in mechanical work.

2. anything that determines or serves as a pattern; a model.

   You can use my notes as a template for employee evaluations.

3. Building Trades. a horizontal piece, as of timber or stone, in a wall, to receive and distribute the pressure of a girder, beam, or the like.

4. Shipbuilding. either of two wedges in each of the temporary blocks forming the support for the keel of a ship while building.

5. Aerial Photogrammetry. any object having lines, slots, or straightedges to represent lines radiating from the center of a photograph, used for graphic triangulation.

6. Genetics. a strand of DNA or RNA that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of a complementary strand of nucleic acid or protein.

7. Computers.

   1. a small sheet or strip of cardboard, plastic, or the like, that fits over a portion of the keyboard and provides ready reference to the keystroke commands of a particular software program.

   2. an electronic file with a predesigned, customized format and structure, as for a fax, letter, or expense report, ready to be filled in.

8. Also called safe.  a marble base for a toilet.

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template British  

/ ˈtɛmplɪt /

noun

1. a gauge or pattern, cut out in wood or metal, used in woodwork, etc, to help shape something accurately

2. a pattern cut out in card or plastic, used in various crafts to reproduce shapes

3. a short beam, made of metal, wood, or stone, that is used to spread a load, as over a doorway

4. biochem the molecular structure of a compound that serves as a pattern for the production of the molecular structure of another specific compound in a reaction

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template Scientific  

/ tĕm′plĭt /

1. A molecule of a nucleic acid, such as DNA, that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule of a nucleic acid.

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Usage

What does template mean? A template is a pattern, model, or guide for the creation of some kind of project. Template is most commonly used in a general way, but it has many specific meanings depending on the context it is being used in. Example: When creating your résumé, don’t start from scratch—use a template so that you can make sure you format it properly.

Etymology

Origin of template

1670–80; alteration of templet, apparently by falsely etymologizing final syllable as plate ¹

Explanation

A template is a model or a guide for producing something. When you build your website, you might use a free template, filling in your own text and images. Template has a few different meanings, but the most common one is as a pattern that can be used in building or reproducing something. If you are designing costumes for a production of Shakespeare, you might use the design of one of Queen Elizabeth's dresses as a template to work from. In building, a template is a block of wood that goes under a door or a wall to distribute weight.

Example Sentences

The deal also creates a "TikTok Template" for other Chinese companies to deploy their technology in the US through licensing, investor and tech expert Kevin Xu wrote in his recent newsletter.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

Template apps: Paperless Post, Punchbowl and Evite all have templates for digital invites that you can send via email, and they’ve added the ability to invite people over texts in recent years.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2022

“We are testing the ability for you to make a reel using an existing Template from another reel.”

From The Verge • Apr. 23, 2022

There is a new narrative tool called the ABT Template.

From Scientific American • Mar. 11, 2020

Template of luminosity of white light 108 26.

From Colour Measurement and Mixture by Abney, W. de W.

Related Words

• arrangement