First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bat
noun \ˈbat\
Definition of BAT
1
: a stout solid stick : club
2
: a sharp blow : stroke
3
a : a usually wooden implement used for hitting the ball in various games b : a paddle used in various games (as table tennis) c : the short whip used by a jockey
4
5
: batt
6
British : rate of speed : gait
7
: binge
— off one's own bat
chiefly British : through one's own efforts
— off the bat
: without delay : immediately <recognized him right off the bat>
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Origin of BAT
Middle English, from Old English batt
2bat
verb
bat·tedbat·ting
Definition of BAT
transitive verb
1
: to strike or hit with or as if with a bat
2
a : to advance (a base runner) by batting b : to have a batting average of
3
: to discuss at length : consider in detail
intransitive verb
1
a : to strike or hit a ball with a bat b : to take one's turn at bat
2
: to wander aimlessly
First Known Use of BAT
13th century
3bat
noun
Definition of BAT
: any of a widely distributed order (Chiroptera) of nocturnal usually frugivorous or insectivorous flying mammals that have wings formed from four elongated digits of the forelimb covered by a cutaneous membrane and that have adequate visual capabilities but often rely on echolocation
Origin of BAT
probably alteration of Middle English bakke, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish nattbakka bat
First Known Use: 1580
4bat
verb
bat·tedbat·ting
Definition of BAT
transitive verb
: to wink especially in surprise or emotion <never batted an eye>; also : flutter <batted his eyelashes>
Origin of BAT
probably alteration of 2bate
First Known Use: circa 1787
BAT
abbreviation
Definition of BAT
bachelor of arts in teaching
Other Education Terms
BAT Defined for Kids
1bat
noun \ˈbat\
Definition of BAT for Kids
1
: a sharp blow or slap <a bat on the ear>
2
: an implement used for hitting the ball in various games <a baseball bat>
3
: a turn at batting <You're next at bat.>
2bat
verb
bat·tedbat·ting
Definition of BAT for Kids
1
: to strike with or as if with a bat <The cat batted at the tablecloth's tassels.>
2
: to take a turn at bat <Have you batted yet?>
3bat
noun
Definition of BAT for Kids
: any of a group of mammals that fly by means of long front limbs modified into wings
Medical Dictionary
bat
noun \ˈbat\
Medical Definition of BAT
: any of an order (Chiroptera) of nocturnal placental flying mammals with forelimbs modified to form wings
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