First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1mat
noun \ˈmat\
Definition of MAT
1
a (1) : a piece of coarse, woven, plaited, or felted fabric used especially as a floor covering or a support (2) : a piece of material placed at a door for wiping soiled shoe soles b : a decorative piece of material used under a small item (as a dish) especially for support or protection c : a large thick pad or cushion used as a surface for wrestling, tumbling, and gymnastics
2
: something made up of densely tangled or adhering filaments or strands especially of organic matter <an algal mat> <a mat of unkempt hair>
3
: a large slab usually of reinforced concrete used as the supporting base of a building
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MAT
Middle English, from Old English meatte, from Late Latin matta, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew miṭṭāh bed
2mat
verb
mat·tedmat·ting
Definition of MAT
transitive verb
1
: to provide with a mat or matting
2
a : to form into a tangled mass <dirt and filth matted her hair> b : to pack down so as to form a dense mass
intransitive verb
: to become matted
First Known Use of MAT
1549
3mat
verb \ˈmat\
mat·tedmat·ting
Definition of MAT
transitive verb
1
also matte or matt : to make (as a metal, glass, or color) matte
2
: to provide (a picture) with a mat
First Known Use of MAT
1602
4mat
5mat
noun
Definition of MAT
: a border going around a picture between picture and frame or serving as the frame
Origin of MAT
French mat dull color, unpolished surface, from mat, adjective — more at matte
First Known Use: 1845
6mat
noun
MAT Defined for Kids
1mat
noun \ˈmat\
Definition of MAT for Kids
1
: a piece of material used as a floor or seat covering or in front of a door to wipe the shoes on
2
: a decorative piece of material used under dishes or vases
3
: a pad or cushion for gymnastics or wrestling
4
: something made up of many tangled strands <a mat of hair>
2mat
verb
mat·tedmat·ting
Definition of MAT for Kids
: to form into a tangled mass
Learn More About MAT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: matadorPrevious Word in the Dictionary: masturbatoryAll Words Near: mat
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up mat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).