battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ 
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to grow fat
b
: to feed gluttonously
2
: to grow prosperous especially at the expense of another
—usually used with on
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)
battened; battening
ˈbat-niŋ
ˈba-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to furnish with battens
2
: to fasten with or as if with battens
—often used with down
: to make one secure by or as if by battens
battening down for the hurricane
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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
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
Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Homey details like area rugs and board and batten could convince us to go anywhere in it.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for batten 
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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
Noun
The houses in town stuck to an old style of batten siding and wood treated to appear a tarry brown, but here and there signs of a modern influence showed through.
—Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Homey details like area rugs and board and batten could convince us to go anywhere in it.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for batten
Dictionary Entries Near batten
Cite this Entry
“Batten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batten. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
batten
1 of 2 noun
bat·ten
ˈbat-ᵊn
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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