slat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Everyday (in specific contexts like furniture, construction)
Quick answer
What does “slat” mean?
A thin, narrow, flat piece of wood, metal, or plastic, often used as part of a structure like a blind, fence, or bed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin, narrow, flat piece of wood, metal, or plastic, often used as part of a structure like a blind, fence, or bed.
Can refer to any similar narrow strip or lath. In aviation, a movable auxiliary airfoil on the leading edge of a wing to improve lift at low speeds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term 'slatted' (e.g., slatted bed base) is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and functional in both. May have a slightly more rustic/woodwork connotation in general use.
Frequency
Low-frequency in general discourse but common in specific domains like furniture retail, construction, and aviation.
Grammar
How to Use “slat” in a Sentence
[Verb] + slat: install, adjust, break, replace, sandSlat + [of + material]: slat of wood, slat of oakVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “slat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The storm slatted the rain against the windows all night.
- He slatted the old fence panels into the skip.
American English
- The hail slatted against the metal roof.
- We need to slat these old boards for the new chicken coop.
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rare as a standalone adjective. Used in compound 'slatted'.]
American English
- [Rare as a standalone adjective. Used in compound 'slatted'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in furniture manufacturing, retail (e.g., 'slatted bed base'), and construction supply.
Academic
Rare, except in engineering or design contexts discussing materials or aerodynamics (aircraft slats).
Everyday
Most common when discussing blinds, garden fences, or bed frames.
Technical
Precise term in carpentry, joinery, and aerospace engineering (leading-edge slats).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slat”
- Misspelling as 'slate' (which is a type of rock/tile).
- Using 'slat' to refer to a wide plank or panel.
- Pronouncing it as /sleɪt/ (like 'slate').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'slat' is a thin strip of material. 'Slate' is a type of grey rock often used for roofing or writing on.
Yes, but it's rare and means to strike or dash violently (like rain against a window) or to make something from slats. The noun form is far more common.
A slat is typically thinner, narrower, and often part of a series (like in a blind). A plank is wider, thicker, and can be a standalone structural element, like a floorboard.
They are movable panels on the front (leading edge) of the wing. When extended, they create a gap that allows air to flow smoothly over the wing at low speeds, providing more lift during takeoff and landing.
A thin, narrow, flat piece of wood, metal, or plastic, often used as part of a structure like a blind, fence, or bed.
Slat is usually technical / everyday (in specific contexts like furniture, construction) in register.
Slat: in British English it is pronounced /slæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /slæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'slat' as a noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SLAT as a SLim, flAT piece of material.
Conceptual Metaphor
A slat is a LINE/BAR that is part of a GRID or SET (e.g., slats in a blind form a set of parallel lines).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'slat' most specifically and correctly used?