1
a(1)
: a gauge, pattern, or mold (such as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
(2)
: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the generation of another macromolecule (such as messenger RNA)
b
2
: something that establishes or serves as a pattern
3
: a short piece or block placed horizontally in a wall under a beam to distribute its weight or pressure (as over a door)
Examples of template in a Sentence
The software includes templates for common marketing documents like pamphlets and flyers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor tapped on Tuesday to become the Democratic vice presidential nominee, has accelerated his state’s embrace of clean energy and electric vehicles in ways that could become templates for federal action in the next White House.
—
Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Policies come with free will templates and other estate planning tools.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024
Try using a baby shoe as a template to trace and cut out.
Using green (or equal parts blue and yellow) food coloring, make the water in the toilet bowl green.
—Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024
The Post reviewed template contracts and other industry guidance from Realtor groups in eight states.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for template 
Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024
Policies come with free will templates and other estate planning tools.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024
Try using a baby shoe as a template to trace and cut out.
Using green (or equal parts blue and yellow) food coloring, make the water in the toilet bowl green.
—Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024
The Post reviewed template contracts and other industry guidance from Realtor groups in eight states.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for template
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'template.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near template
Cite this Entry
“Template.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/template. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
template
noun
tem·plate
ˈtem-plət 
1
: a gauge, pattern, or mold (as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
2
: something that establishes or serves as a pattern
Medical Definition
template
noun
tem·plate
ˈtem-plət
1
also templet
: a gauge, pattern, or mold used as a guide to the form of a piece being made
2
: a molecule (as of DNA) that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another macromolecule (as messenger RNA)
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