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Meaning of pattern in English:

pattern

Pronunciation /?pat(?)n/

See synonyms for pattern

Translate pattern into Spanish

noun

  • 1A repeated decorative design.

    ‘a neat blue herringbone pattern’
    • ‘Included are geometrics, florals and foliates, animals and nature motifs and other decorative repeat patterns.’
    • ‘These aspects then become ornamented with Islamic-inspired decorative patterns and Islamic cultural artifacts.’
    • ‘It featured exuberant decorative patterns, designs in the brickwork and wooden attachments.’
    • ‘Clothing is made of cloth that repeats thousands of tiny patterns, with decorations such as silver hoops added.’
    • ‘Blocks of colour work better than patterns and neat tailoring works better than layers.’
    • ‘Symmetric and geometric designs are the most common features of Belarusan decorative patterns.’
    • ‘One strategy he often employed was to create repeating patterns of interlocking figures.’
    • ‘The motifs shared by the petroglyphic art include circles, cruciform shapes, star motifs and herringbone patterns.’
    • ‘Decorative patterns, repetition, alternation and progression were reviewed at this point.’
    • ‘Bricks, slabs and decking can be laid in patterns for decorative effect.’
    • ‘Support columns for the bridge will feature textured cast stone, with a cast concrete inset stamped with decorative patterns of prairie grasses.’
    • ‘She picked up a pair of scissors at the age of eight and started cutting traditional decorative patterns - common practice among country women.’
    • ‘The two posts on each side are filled with decorative, abstract patterns.’
    • ‘A long sword hung from his belt, which was covered with various decorative patterns.’
    • ‘Using a pastry brush, paint a decorative pattern on the inside of each cantaloupe with the green chocolate.’
    • ‘Pipe some frosting in a decorative pattern on top of each and set aside.’
    • ‘A fairly normal vase, the kind one would buy at the market: blue with swirly patterns, depicting some pastoral scene in creamy colours.’
    • ‘It can be rustic or traditional, with decorative tops, patterns, curves and arches adding to the fence design.’
    • ‘The fabric is baby blue with a pattern of assorted donuts.’
    • ‘Arabic inscriptions appear on most types of decorative patterns except those with representations of people.’
    design, decoration, motif, marking, ornament, ornamentation, device, figure
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    1. 1.1An arrangement or design regularly found in comparable objects.
      ‘the house had been built on the usual pattern’
      • ‘Structurally, the tumor cells were arranged in a medullary pattern composed of polygonal tumor cells.’
      • ‘The hair-cells within the spiralling cochlear duct are arranged in a pattern like the bristles of a brush.’
      • ‘The fossils indicate the wings had feathers, arranged in a similar pattern to that of modern birds.’
      • ‘These things can't be built or opened or operated without making changes to existing travel arrangements and patterns.’
      • ‘Programming the assembly of nanocrystals using DNA linkers might provide one way of arranging them into circuit patterns.’
      • ‘The development of a plant depends on the generation of diverse cell types arranged in predictable patterns.’
      • ‘Photonic structures are created from a block of transparent dielectric material that contains a number of tiny holes arranged in a lattice pattern.’
      • ‘There were fascicles of spindle cells sometimes arranged in a whorled pattern or admixed with thick collagen fibers.’
      • ‘These are normally arranged in a polygonal pattern.’
      • ‘For our prototype instrument, we use three pinholes, arranged into a triangular pattern.’
      • ‘External root hairs occur in a pattern governed by the arrangement of underlying cortical cells.’
      • ‘The pattern of arrangement of the stamens was found to be conservative.’
      • ‘An asexual adult colony is made up of just two cell types arranged in an orderly pattern.’
      • ‘If conventional arrangements and patterns are made more scarce, other arrangements and patterns will spring up.’
      • ‘In regular dense connective tissue, collagen bundles are arranged in a definite pattern, making the tissue greatly resistant to stress.’
      • ‘The walls were arranged in an octagonal pattern, giving the impression of a tower or fortification of some sort.’
      • ‘The lesion was composed of mononuclear cells and plump spindle cells arranged in a plexiform pattern.’
      • ‘Wedge biopsy of the lesion showed benign spindle cells arranged in a whorled pattern.’
      • ‘In the absence of individual gene analysis, these methods can reveal the overall patterns of gene network systems.’
      • ‘Quasicrystals are unusual metallic alloys whose atoms are arranged in orderly patterns that are not quite crystalline.’
      model, example, criterion, standard, basis, point of reference, gauge, norm, formula, guide, scale, guideline, yardstick, touchstone, benchmark, ideal, exemplar, paradigm, canon
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    2. 1.2A regular and intelligible form or sequence discernible in the way in which something happens or is done.
      ‘a complicating factor is the change in working patterns’
      • ‘the murders followed a repeated pattern’
      • ‘the school is located a few kilometers away and is run on the pattern of other army schools’
      • ‘An ECG also shows doctors how fast your heart is beating and whether it's beating in a regular pattern.’
      • ‘Then activate the timer, and the patterns automatically sequence and repeat.’
      • ‘Basically, a clock depends on something that repeats a pattern at a very regular rate.’
      • ‘At the same time, there were discernible patterns of thought that gave a distinct personality to what I had written.’
      • ‘By the early 70s, the pattern was becoming quite discernible.’
      • ‘There is a discernible pattern in Indian politics and economics which shows that change has tended to take place only very slowly and gradually.’
      • ‘In it, the authors attempt to discern broad patterns in the health measures, both across groups and over long stretches of time.’
      • ‘Although no clearly discernible patterns of theory seem to be present, there is a clear choice of what part of development to study.’
      • ‘Reducing stress, establishing regular sleep patterns, following a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise may help prevent tension headaches.’
      • ‘Specimens have been found all over the world, but it's not clear if they have regular migration patterns.’
      • ‘First, readings are collected over an interval that takes into account regular tidal patterns.’
      • ‘It's high time I experimented with regular sleeping patterns.’
      • ‘Until recently, ocean scientists believed that waves acted only in regular, predictable patterns.’
      • ‘Now, if I can stay awake until tonight I might just be able to get back into a regular pattern again.’
      • ‘Have a regular pattern of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, whether you are tired or not.’
      • ‘You may restructure office routines, busy schedules, travel plans, work systems, food habits, fitness programs and regular patterns.’
      • ‘This series of steps is hypothesized to produce the regular, long-distance migratory patterns observed in many species around the world.’
      • ‘However, similar patterns were repeated in the multivariate analysis designed to account for such factors.’
      • ‘We had to examine interorganizational arrangements to understand patterns of interaction and results.’
      • ‘This was the pattern, his lordship regularly exposing a gap in the government armour, only to plug it soon afterwards.’
      system, order, arrangement, method, sequence, structure, scheme, plan, form, format, framework, composition, constitution, shape, make-up, configuration
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  • 2A model or design used as a guide in needlework and other crafts.

    ‘make a pattern for the zigzag edge’
    • ‘Using a T-shirt and an A-line skirt as guides, make paper patterns.’
    • ‘Using your pattern, the cloth is then cut and trimmed, along with the finest linings and silks available.’
    sample, specimen, swatch
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    1. 2.1A set of instructions to be followed in making a sewn or knitted item.
      ‘the bag contained wool, needles, and a pattern for a sweater’
      • ‘These follow a similar pattern to the later instructions.’
      • ‘Find instructions and free patterns on the Internet.’
      • ‘I wish I could list out the Christmas knitting patterns, but three out of the four intendees occasionally peruse the blog, and it's not much fun if they know in advance.’
      • ‘Last year Teresa spent time in Ethiopia where she set up a knitting project, teaching children and young women how to knit and read patterns.’
      • ‘She was standing alone, dressed in a woolly, knee-length jacket, the kind of thing you see in Seventies knitting patterns.’
      • ‘This is the very first time I've seen knitting patterns published under a CC license, and I think it's splendid!’
      • ‘The weather has turned chilly here in Calgary, and I find myself turning to new patterns for knitting.’
      • ‘At a very young age, I made a donkey, by knitting the pattern, stuffing it with wool and sowing it all together.’
      • ‘Funny how shopping for knitting patterns led to memories of working with Chris.’
      • ‘I have not knit a pattern from this book yet, however, all the patterns seem to be very well-written and easy to understand.’
      • ‘Scrolling a little further I came across the pattern and instructions to make these wonderful fisherman's pants.’
      • ‘In theory, the replenishing of the body's supplies of water and glucose should not be beyond the abilities of someone who can follow a knitting pattern.’
      • ‘It's not a difficult pattern to knit, but it's not going as fast as I would had imagined.’
      • ‘I sit beneath my mother while she reads the pattern's instructions, see her eyebrows contract through a crack in the table.’
      • ‘Students learn about quality control, dress designing, pattern making, merchandising and administrative work in a garment factory.’
      • ‘The organisers would appreciate any donations of knitting wool, patterns, knitting needles, crochet hooks or any old material.’
      • ‘I have used the pattern as a guide, and I think I am going to change the neckline, but so far it is working out very well.’
      • ‘I did come back with some sock yarn and another book of sock patterns, though, and an Addi Turbo needle.’
      • ‘I pulled the sewing machine and my wood trunks full of patterns and materials.’
    2. 2.2A wooden or metal model from which a mould is made for a casting.
      ‘to make a split mould a wooden pattern has to be made first’
      • ‘It involves using a special type of sand and a wooden pattern.’
      • ‘Visual inspection of the quality of the metal pattern was carried out using a 20x lens on an upright light microscope.’
      casting, replica, copy, model, representation, mock-up, imitation, reproduction, duplicate
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    3. 2.3A sample of cloth or wallpaper.
      • ‘it is easier to choose carpets from the roll than from a pattern book’
      sample, specimen, swatch
      View synonyms

  • 3An example for others to follow.

    ‘he set the pattern for subsequent study’
    • ‘With regard to disease processes, the chapters follow the same layout and provide an excellent pattern for learning.’
    • ‘If this can be achieved, the pattern and example that he sets will be not just for Scotland, but a light to the world.’
    • ‘Therefore, the 1937 treaty set the pattern for the subsequent flurries of activities.’
    precedent, lead, guide, model, pattern, blueprint, template, paradigm, exemplar, ideal, standard
    View synonyms

verb

[with object]

  • 1Decorate with a repeated design.

    ‘he was sitting on a soft carpet patterned in rich colours’
    • ‘the boxes are patterned with black and white chevrons’
    • ‘Delilah dressed in a large dress that was light green and was littered with bows and patterned with rosebuds.’
    • ‘Amy turns around in her pastel pink frilly-laced top, patterned with small flowers.’
    • ‘Lola herself has doffed her shabby robe and is wearing a gaudy dress patterned with large flowers.’
    • ‘These items were genuine, intricately patterned, handmade works of art, taking about six months to complete.’
    • ‘Although patterned wallpaper is coming back into fashion, it's now being applied only sparingly.’
    • ‘The cool indigo of the subtly patterned wallpaper and the basin complements the honey tones of the fir cabinetry and trim.’
    • ‘Around her waist was a wrap skirt that tied in the front, brightly patterned with dark and sky blue flowers.’
    • ‘It is typically French in plan: formal and neatly patterned, with rows of trees and gravel paths.’
    • ‘The labyrinth is a maze-like path similar to those patterned on to the floors of European cathedrals in the Middle Ages.’
    • ‘They're black, and white, and patterned with stripes around the bottom.’
    • ‘Her Highness was wearing a white pique dress patterned with pink roses, a white hat and white accessories.’
    • ‘Craftspeople of today weave intricately patterned cloth and carpets with complex designs.’
    • ‘This one was wrapped in white paper patterned with red lipstick kisses.’
    • ‘French cuffs make the difference, whether the shirt is solid or patterned.’
    • ‘I dressed in a knee-length white skirt patterned with a layer of pink lace and a pink tank top over a white bikini.’
    • ‘While shirts are described as pastel and patterned, pants are available in clean lines.’
    • ‘Who is the elegant maiden dressed in silk with a vermilion inner-robe patterned with golden butterflies?’
    • ‘Brides from the Asian subcontinent have their hands patterned with henna.’
    • ‘The two were draped completely in dark robes patterned with runes and ancient text.’
    • ‘The skirt you describe is colourful and strongly patterned, so it's best to keep it simple and fairly plain up top.’

  • 2Give a regular or intelligible form to.

    ‘the brain not only receives information, but interprets and patterns it’
    • ‘I can't help but think we are still looking to secular models to pattern our thinking rather than to revelation.’
    • ‘These visible alterations in chromosome structure do not affect polarity by altering transcription of key patterning genes.’
    • ‘These innovations all involve evolutionary changes in the regulation of polyp and colony-wide patterning systems.’
    • ‘He patterns their foreign noise to the sound of himself.’
    shape, influence, form, model, fashion, mould, style
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    1. 2.1pattern something on/afterGive something a form based on that of (something else)
      ‘the clothing is patterned on athletes' wear’
      • ‘Staff members will pattern their leadership after those above them - not after what others say as much as what they do.’
      • ‘Today it is not uncommon for some of the so-called replica firearms to be of better quality and performance than the originals they were patterned after.’
      • ‘While polyphonic tones were better than monotones, they still sounded more like an old video game than the music they were patterned after.’
      • ‘Your car's headlights and spotlights are patterned after that design.’
      • ‘Jews count the months by the moon; western civilization patterns its calendar after the sun.’
      • ‘And man, he was something to watch, a college All-American whose style of ball I patterned my game after.’
      • ‘I had patterned my own behavior after his, and when I began to identify some of those same qualities in myself, I knew I had to take action.’
      • ‘Plus, league bowlers pattern their styles after their favorite player.’
      • ‘Pets will pattern their moods after yours, so love what you are doing!’
      • ‘Does that bother you at all, or do you try and pattern your style after a guy like him?’
      • ‘I have tried very hard to pattern my own life after the profound spirit of love and compassion for all things that I saw within this beautiful woman.’
      • ‘In 1974 our uniform was patterned on the one that had been worn by the BC Provincial Police Force before it was taken over by the RCMP in the early 1950s.’
      • ‘Her ambitions are patterned on images absorbed from old movies and gleaned from her favourite reading matter, celebrity autobiographies.’
      • ‘That would be great, having a health care system patterned after the foster care system.’
      • ‘It is undoubtedly true that many of us are living in new houses that are patterned on interior designs a hundred or even two hundred years old.’
      • ‘And if you would, who would you want to pattern yourself after?’

Origin

Middle English patron ‘something serving as a model’, from Old French (see patron). The change in sense is from the idea of a patron giving an example to be copied. Metathesis in the second syllable occurred in the 16th century. By 1700 patron ceased to be used of things, and the two forms became differentiated in sense.