pattern

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈpat(ə)n/ or [ˈpaʔ(ə)n]
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈpætərn/ or [ˈpæɾɚn]

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular pattern

Plural patterns

Pattern is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

1. (countable) A pattern is a design that uses the same set of elements many times in the same order.

   The table cloth had a simple pattern of red and white squares.

2. (countable) The combined qualities and activities for an individual or a group of people describes a pattern.

   The people of Spain have a pattern of resting in the afternoon and eating dinner late at night.

Verb

Plain form pattern

Third-person singular patterns

Past tense patterned

Past participle patterned

Present participle patterning

1. (transitive) When you pattern something, you make it using a pattern.

   Much of crime fiction is patterned from true police stories.