wattle

1 of 3

noun (1)

wat·​tle ˈwä-tᵊl How to pronounce wattle (audio)
1
a
: a fabrication of poles interwoven with slender branches, withes, or reeds and used especially formerly in building
b
: material for such construction
c
wattles plural : poles laid on a roof to support thatch
2
Australia : acacia sense 2
wattled adjective

wattle

2 of 3

verb

wattled; wattling
ˈwät-liŋ,
ˈwä-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce wattle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to form or build of or with wattle
2
a
: to form into wattle : interlace to form wattle
b
: to unite or make solid by interweaving light flexible material

wattle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a fleshy pendulous process usually about the head or neck (as of a bird)

Examples of wattle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
All the spin-off offices are represented: magnolias from New Orleans, roses from L.A., golden wattles from Sydney, plumerias from Hawai'i, and cherry blossoms from the Far East office, where Knight’s (Katrina Law) father is stationed. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024 But years of deforestation and the introduction of invasive species such as black wattle and eucalyptus radically changed the area around the gulch. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 Those wattles act as speed bumps to slow the flow and stem erosion. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2024 Like in West Hartford, U.S.A., culture is French, Mythology, Music, Hiawatha, and things like that but in Wildest Africa culture is Hunting lions, Shrinking heads, Building huts of clay and wattles made, and things like that, none of which there is any of in West Hartford. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 Advertisement The wattles were the foundation for a project that could potentially transform the region. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023 Ochoa looked toward the bottom of the canyon where dozens of wattles were piled. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023 Another Baldwin favorite is the twisted desert wattle (Acacia aphylla), a sculptural plant with twisty, deep green branches and little fluff balls of yellow flowers at the tips. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 The three hoisted two wattles onto their shoulders and strode up a hill. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wattle.' 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 wattel, from Old English watel; akin to Old High German wadal bandage

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1513, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near wattle

Cite this Entry

“Wattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wattle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wattle

1 of 3 noun
wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl How to pronounce wattle (audio)
: a framework of poles interwoven with slender branches or reeds and used in building
also : material for such a framework
wattled adjective

wattle

2 of 3 verb
wattled; wattling ˈwät-liŋ How to pronounce wattle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to form or build of or with wattle
2
a
: to weave (as branches) together to form wattle
b
: to unite or make solid by weaving together light flexible material

wattle

3 of 3 noun
: a fleshy flap of skin hanging usually from the neck (as of a bird)

Medical Definition

wattle

noun
wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl How to pronounce wattle (audio)
: a fleshy process that hangs usually from the head or neck (as of a bird)
wattled adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wattle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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