template

or tem·plet

[ tem-plit ]

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.

template

/ 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

template

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of template¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of template¹

C17 templet (later spelling influenced by plate ), probably from French, diminutive of temple ³

Example Sentences

It’s a template Keke Palmer has been following ever since.

From Los Angeles Times

To begin there already “normalizes” this race by cramming it into a familiar and reassuring political template.

From Salon

The band followed their debut EP with “Murmur,” a 1983 album of melancholy mystery that had no precedent, and became a template for the generation of guitar bands that followed.

From Los Angeles Times

She hopes to build a template for others that includes everything she's learned from the campaign, including Big Ag's lobbying tactics.

From Salon

He was so relentless in his abuse that he had a template of messages that he would copy and paste to the children.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement