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

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

Who knew — it was like a template, a manual for what I was going to have to deal with.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m trying to give a template for people that get diagnosed with this to, one, know they have options available to them,” Jordan said.

From Los Angeles Times

"Maybe this will be a template for how you bring back an iconic name."

From BBC

“It’s a template for what type of approach Bailey is going to take on the federal level. Political opponents are going to get targeted.”

From Salon

But her next album, 2013's Beyoncé, was a turning point – a disruptive, experimental, futuristic R&B album that set the template for the third act of her career.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement 

When To Use

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.