batten

1 of 3

verb (1)

bat·​ten ˈba-tᵊn How to pronounce batten (audio)
battened; battening ˈbat-niŋ How to pronounce batten (audio)
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

1
a
: to grow fat
b
: to feed gluttonously
2
: to grow prosperous especially at the expense of another
usually used with on

batten

2 of 3

noun

1
a
British : a piece of lumber used especially for flooring
b
: a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or reinforce a joint
2
: a strip, bar, or support resembling or used similarly to a batten (as in a sail)

batten

3 of 3

verb (2)

battened; battening ˈbat-niŋ How to pronounce batten (audio)
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with battens
2
: to fasten with or as if with battens
often used with down

intransitive verb

: to make one secure by or as if by battens
battening down for the hurricane
Phrases
batten down the hatches
: to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation

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What Is the Origin of Batten

Batten comes from the name for an iron bar used to secure the covering of a hatchway on a ship, which was especially useful in preparation of stormy weather. The verb batten is used in variations of the phrase "batten down the hatches," which means "to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation." It winds back to Latin battuere, meaning "to beat."

Examples of batten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Sheila stares downward, as though battening her emotional hatches. Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 13 June 2023 In summary, short-term volatility will persist while consumers batten down the hatches, but as always the future of retail is bright for those who are willing to evolve. Natalie Berg, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 Everyone from Jeff Bezos to Gwyneth Paltrow is talking about the likelihood of a deepening recession, with the Amazon founder advising Twitter followers on Oct. 19 to batten down the hatches and the Goop CEO confessing late- night worries about the economic outlook a few days earlier. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Oct. 2022 All the Valkyries could do was batten down the hatches and try to ride out Assumption's storm. J.l. Kirven, The Courier-Journal, 25 Oct. 2022 Yep, the probabilities in this economy tell you to batten down the hatches. Allison Morrow, CNN, 20 Oct. 2022 Then batten down the hatches, prepare for a storm and stick to your guns without arguing or explaining further. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 19 Aug. 2022 But first, batten down the hatches. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2022 Better batten down the hatches, Florida. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2021
Noun
First drafted in the 1930s by architects like Cliff Mae and William Wurster, the ranch-house style lent itself well to mass production: low, one-story, and made of simple and inexpensive materials like shake roofs, board-and-batten walls, and brick foundations. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 11 July 2022 This room also shows off two common first-floor features: hardwood flooring and three-quarter-height board-and-batten wainscoting. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023 Our favorite features are the mix of stone, brick, board-and-batten siding, a wrap-around porch, and an outdoor fireplace. Ellen Antworth, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2023 On both levels, wood flooring and white board-and-batten walls give the home a cozy, rustic feel, all while allowing plenty of natural light in. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2022 Board-and-batten walls visually connect the this bedroom and the guest room. Shaila Wunderlich, Country Living, 28 Sep. 2022 This space combines two types of millwork (square paneling and a board-and-batten treatment) in contrasting colors to turn walls into a focal point. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 But on Thursday, as the United States co-hosts a second covid-19 summit designed to further the fight against the pandemic with funding for vaccines and more, this batten-the-hatches battle appears already forgotten. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 May 2022 The house has board-and-batten siding and a gambrel roof, as well as a timber-frame living room with vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, a kitchen with granite countertops and a two-story deck. Lia Picard, WSJ, 30 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'batten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably from Old Norse batna to improve; akin to Old English betera better

Noun

alteration of Middle English batent, bataunt finished board, from Anglo-French *bataunt, from present participle of batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1663, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of batten was circa 1540

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Dictionary Entries Near batten

Cite this Entry

“Batten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batten. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

batten

1 of 2 noun
bat·​ten ˈbat-ᵊn How to pronounce batten (audio)
1
: a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or strengthen a joint
2
: a strip, bar, or support like or used like a batten (as in a sail)

batten

2 of 2 verb
battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ,
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to get ready especially for stormy weather by or as if by fastening everything down
usually used with down

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