mat

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈmat How to pronounce mat (audio)
Synonyms of matnext
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 (such 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

mat

2 of 6

verb (1)

matted; matting

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

mat

3 of 6

verb (2)

ˈmat How to pronounce mat (audio)
matted; matting

transitive verb

1
or less commonly matte or matt : to make (something, such as a metal, glass, or color) matte
2
: to provide (a picture) with a mat

mat

4 of 6

adjective

less common spelling of matte entry 2

: lacking or deprived of luster (see luster entry 1 sense 1) or gloss: such as
a
: having a usually smooth even surface free from shine or highlights
matte metals
a matte finish
b
: having a rough or granular (see granular sense 1) surface

mat

5 of 6

noun (2)

: a border going around a picture between picture and frame or serving as the frame

mat

6 of 6

noun (3)

: matrix sense 2a

Examples of mat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Step 1: Lie prone (on your stomach) on a mat with your legs extended, ankles slightly plantarflexed (toes pointing away from your shins), arms extended overhead with palms facing each other. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2024 Pikler triangles, indoor and outdoor climbing toys, play mats, and more options to practice those important toddler motor skills. —Heather Balogh Rochfort, Parents, 18 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for mat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English meatte, from Late Latin matta, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew miṭṭāh bed

Noun (2)

French mat dull color, unpolished surface, from mat, adjective — more at matte

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (1)

1549, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1845, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mat was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing mat

Dictionary Entries Near mat

masut

mat

mata

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mat. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mat

1 of 5 noun
ˈmat How to pronounce mat (audio)
1
a
: a piece of coarse fabric of rush, straw, or wool
b
: a piece of material in front of a door to wipe dirty shoe soles on
c
: a decorative piece of material used under a dish or vase
d
: a pad or cushion for gymnastics or wrestling
2
: something made up of many tangled strands
a thick mat of vegetation

mat

2 of 5 verb
matted; matting
1
: to provide with a mat or matting
2
: to become or cause to become a tangled mass

mat

3 of 5 verb
ˈmat How to pronounce mat (audio)
matted; matting
1
also matte or matt : to give a dull effect to
2
: to border (a picture) with a mat

mat

4 of 5

variant of matte entry 2

mat

5 of 5 noun
1
: a border of stiff paper (as cardboard) going around a picture between picture and frame or serving as the frame
2
: a dull finish
Etymology

Noun

Old English meatte "mat," from Latin matta (same meaning); of Semitic origin

Medical Definition

mat

1 of 2 adjective
variants or matt or matte
ˈmat How to pronounce mat (audio)
1
: lacking or deprived of luster or gloss : having a usually smooth even surface free from shine or highlights
2
: having a coarse rough rugose or granular surface
bacteria that form mat colonies on agar

mat

2 of 2 noun
: a mat colony of bacteria

More from Merriam-Webster on mat

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mat

Nglish: Translation of mat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mat for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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