# template

/ˈtɛmpɫeɪt/ (US) · /tˈɛmpleɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/template
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. a physical guide

noun · CEFR B2

a physical object with a specific shape that you use as a guide to cut or draw the same shape many times.

For teachers: a physical pattern or gauge, such as a piece of wood or metal, used as a guide for shaping or marking out work accurately.

- The carpenter used a wooden template to cut the curved legs for the chairs.
- The stonemason carefully aligned the zinc template against the block to ensure every arch segment matched the master design precisely.

### 2. a digital document

noun · CEFR B2

a computer file that already has a layout and style, which you use to start a new document quickly.

For teachers: a pre-formatted file or document structure that serves as a starting point for new content, ensuring consistency in layout and style.

- I used a resume template so I didn't have to worry about the design.
- The marketing department released a standardized slide template to ensure all corporate presentations maintained a unified visual identity.

### 3. a model or example

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a plan or example that people can follow to achieve a similar result.

For teachers: a conceptual model or pattern that serves as a basis for others to emulate or derive from.

- The success of the local library became a template for other towns in the region.
- The peace treaty was hailed as a potential template for resolving similar territorial disputes across the continent.

### 4. programming

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a piece of code that can be used for different types of data without rewriting it.

For teachers: a generic class or function definition that allows for compile-time polymorphism by accepting different data types as arguments.

- The developer wrote a template to handle different types of lists in the application.
- By utilizing C++ templates, the engineering team reduced code duplication while maintaining high performance for various numeric data types.

### 5. biology

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a molecule that acts as a pattern for making a new molecule.

For teachers: a macromolecule, such as DNA, that provides a structural pattern for the synthesis of another molecule.

- During cell division, one strand of DNA acts as a template for the new one.
- The enzyme moves along the DNA template, assembling a complementary strand of messenger RNA during the transcription process.

### 6. to create a pattern

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to create a standard pattern or guide for others to use.

For teachers: to establish or provide a standardized pattern or format for a process or document.

- We need to template our reporting process to save time every month.
- The project manager sought to template the onboarding procedure to ensure no critical steps were overlooked during rapid hiring phases.

Usage: Often used in business or technical contexts regarding workflow.

## Examples

- I used a resume template to apply for the job.
- The marketing team created a standard email template to ensure all client communications looked professional and consistent.
- In software engineering, a template allows developers to define a generic class or function that can operate on different data types without rewriting the underlying logic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.