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bat
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As a noun, bat means any of the flying mammals of the order Chiroptera, usually small and nocturnal, insectivorous or frugivorous. As a verb, it means hit with a bat or (figuratively) as if with a bat.
Meanings of bat
29 meaningsnoun
Any of the flying mammals of the order Chiroptera, usually small and nocturnal, insectivorous or frugivorous.
derogatoryAn old woman.
A club made of wood or aluminium used for striking the ball in sports such as baseball, softball and cricket.
A turn at hitting the ball with a bat in a game.
“You've been in for ages. Can I have a bat now?”
two-upThe piece of wood on which the spinner places the coins and then uses for throwing them.
miningShale or bituminous shale.
A sheet of cotton used for filling quilts or comfortables; batting.
A part of a brick with one whole end.
A stroke; a sharp blow.
UKScotlanddialectA stroke of work.
informalRate of motion; speed.
UKScotlanddialectManner; rate; condition; state of health.
kentsussexA rough walking stick.
Nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigateanimal
Similar: chiropteran
Older and rare meanings (4)
USslangdatedA spree; a jollification.
obsoleteA packsaddle.
UKdialectobsoleteA child's shoe without a welt.
UKslangobsoleteA boot that is badly made or in poor condition.
Dated form of baht ("Thai currency").
Clipping of batty ("buttocks or anus").
verb
To hit with a bat or (figuratively) as if with a bat.
“He batted the ball away with a satisfying thwack.”
“We batted a few ideas around.”
To take a turn at hitting a ball with a bat in sports like cricket, baseball and softball, as opposed to fielding.
To strike or swipe as though with a bat.
“The cat batted at the toy.”
To flutter
“bat one's eyelashes”
USUKdialectTo wink.
usually with 'around''about'To flit quickly from place to place.
“I've spent all week batting around the country.”
Use a bat
“Who's batting?”
Older and rare meanings (1)
UKdialectobsoleteTo bate or flutter, as a hawk.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).