noun

batten

BATN

noun

A long, narrow strip of wood or metal used to strengthen, fasten, or hold something in place, especially in construction or on a ship.

"They nailed a batten across the fence to stop it sagging."

verb

To fasten or secure something firmly, typically with battens — especially in the phrase "batten down."

"The crew battened down the hatches before the storm hit."

Followed by "on": to grow fat or prosper, often at someone else's expense.

"Landlords battened on the desperation of tenants during the housing crisis."

How to Use Batten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often seen today in "batten down the hatches" — to prepare firmly for trouble ahead.

Memory tip

"Batten down the hatches" is the phrase to learn; the plain noun and the "grow fat" verb sense are rare outside specialist or literary contexts.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

batten down the hatches

Word Forms

more batten comparative, battened past tense, battened past tense, batten plural, battened plural, battens plural, Battens plural, battens singular, batten singular, battened singular, battenest singular, battenedst singular, batteneth singular, battens singular, most batten superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They nailed a _____ across the fence to stop it sagging.

Etymology

The verb traces to Old Norse batna, "to grow better or recover"; the wood-strip noun is a related but separate sense that developed in English carpentry and shipbuilding.

Rhymes for batten

fatten flatten

See all rhymes for batten →