batten

2 synonyms for batten, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

secure

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

batting

Synonyms by Meaning

1. 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.”

batting

2. 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.”

secure

How to use batten

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

batten down the hatches

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.

Full origin of batten →

Frequently asked questions

What does “batten” mean?

The word “batten” means a long, narrow strip of wood or metal used to strengthen, fasten, or hold something in place, especially in construction or on a ship. In plain terms, most often seen today in "batten down the hatches" — to prepare firmly for trouble ahead.

How do you pronounce “batten”?

“Batten” is pronounced BATN (/ˈbætən/ in IPA).

How do you use “batten” in a sentence?

Here is “batten” used in a sentence: “They nailed a batten across the fence to stop it sagging.”

What part of speech is “batten”?

Depending on how it is used, “batten” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “batten” come from?

The word “batten” comes from Old Norse. 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.

How many meanings does “batten” have?

“Batten” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, narrow strip of wood or metal used to strengthen, fasten, or hold something in place, especially in construction or on a ship.

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Nearby words

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