pattern
1 of 2noun
pat·tern ˈpa-tərn 
1
: a form or model proposed for imitation : exemplar
2
: something designed or used as a model for making things
a dressmaker's pattern
3
: an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical design or form
the geometrical pattern of the carpet
the strict pattern of rhythm and rhyme for a sonnet
Gigi Marino
Gigi Marino4
: a natural or chance configuration
frost patterns
the pattern of events
5
dated : a length of fabric sufficient for an article (as of clothing)
6
a
: the distribution of shrapnel, bombs on a target, or shot from a shotgun
b
: the grouping made on a target by bullets
7
: a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution
a behavior pattern
spending patterns
the prevailing pattern of speech
8
a
: the flight path prescribed for an airplane that is coming in for a landing
b
: a prescribed route to be followed by a pass receiver in football
9
: test pattern
10
: a discernible coherent system based on the intended interrelationship of component parts
foreign policy patterns
11
: frequent or widespread incidence
a pattern of dissent
a pattern of violence
patterned
ˈpa-tərnd
adjective patternless adjective
pattern
2 of 2verb
patterned; patterning; patterns
transitive verb
1
dialectal, chiefly England
a
: match
b
: imitate
2
: to make, adapt, or fashion according to a pattern
3
: to furnish, adorn, or mark with a design
intransitive verb
: to form a pattern
Synonyms
Noun
- design
- figure
- motif
- motive
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The dishes have a floral pattern around the rim. The fabric comes in different colors and patterns. The rug is decorated with a geometric pattern. The shadows made a pattern of lines on the ground. They are studying behavior patterns among high-school students. Analysts are noticing different spending patterns by consumers. The trees followed a characteristic pattern of growth. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Paul Hannon, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 If that pattern continues, and Democrats lose their narrow majority in the House or Senate, Biden’s ability to enact significant legislation will be blocked. The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2022 Thunderstorms persist in the afternoon over Orlando this Monday and that pattern will linger for the rest of the week. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 That pattern should change this season — for the worse. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 That pattern apparently persisted in all the denominators of all the equations. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 Southeast Stark Street is among those high-crash corridors, making Saturday morning’s crash part of that fatal pattern. oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 And that pattern only became more entrenched during the pandemic in the 2021/2022 school year. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 That erratic pattern remains the rule for Gurnah’s characters, especially a young man named Ilyas, who becomes Khalifa’s best friend. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Saugat Bolakhe, Scientific American, 11 July 2022 Defenders including Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Bruce Bowen, Michael Cooper and Derek Harper would become guys that young players might pattern themselves after. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 4 Feb. 2022 Focus on the only number that VCs can pattern match off, which is revenue growth. Diana Tsai, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 The most effective way to kill a giant whitetail is to pattern him on trail camera and hunt him to the exclusion of all others. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 5 Jan. 2021 Cox explained that this partnership unfolded as the state tried to pattern its handling of the pandemic after South Korea’s example. Taylor Stevens, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2020 When scouting, remember that the goal is not to bump and push hogs out of an area, but simply to pattern their movements in order to formulate a hunting strategy. Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 4 Aug. 2020 The community is now a destination for art lovers and people wanting to learn to make the exquisite, colorfully patterned quilts. Kelly Kazek | Kkazek@al.com, al, 1 June 2020 Maisonette has brightly printed and patterned cotton face masks in small, medium and large sizes. oregonlive, 15 May 2020 See More
Noun
That pattern is set to flip as the year draws to a close. Paul Hannon, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 If that pattern continues, and Democrats lose their narrow majority in the House or Senate, Biden’s ability to enact significant legislation will be blocked. The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2022 Thunderstorms persist in the afternoon over Orlando this Monday and that pattern will linger for the rest of the week. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 That pattern should change this season — for the worse. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 That pattern apparently persisted in all the denominators of all the equations. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 Southeast Stark Street is among those high-crash corridors, making Saturday morning’s crash part of that fatal pattern. oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 And that pattern only became more entrenched during the pandemic in the 2021/2022 school year. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 That erratic pattern remains the rule for Gurnah’s characters, especially a young man named Ilyas, who becomes Khalifa’s best friend. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Verb
Next, the researchers had to figure out how to pattern a surface with thousands of their artificial cilia. Saugat Bolakhe, Scientific American, 11 July 2022 Defenders including Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Bruce Bowen, Michael Cooper and Derek Harper would become guys that young players might pattern themselves after. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 4 Feb. 2022 Focus on the only number that VCs can pattern match off, which is revenue growth. Diana Tsai, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 The most effective way to kill a giant whitetail is to pattern him on trail camera and hunt him to the exclusion of all others. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 5 Jan. 2021 Cox explained that this partnership unfolded as the state tried to pattern its handling of the pandemic after South Korea’s example. Taylor Stevens, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2020 When scouting, remember that the goal is not to bump and push hogs out of an area, but simply to pattern their movements in order to formulate a hunting strategy. Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 4 Aug. 2020 The community is now a destination for art lovers and people wanting to learn to make the exquisite, colorfully patterned quilts. Kelly Kazek | Kkazek@al.com, al, 1 June 2020 Maisonette has brightly printed and patterned cotton face masks in small, medium and large sizes. oregonlive, 15 May 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English patron, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin patronus
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing pattern
Kids Definition
pattern 1 of 2
noun
pat·tern ˈpa-tərn
1
: the form or figures used in decoration : design
The cloth has a fancy pattern.
2
: a model or guide for making something
Mom used a pattern to make the dress.
3
: the regular and repeated way in which something is done
Their behavior has fallen into a pattern.
4
: something worth copying : model
pattern
2 of 2verb
patterned; patterning
1
: to make or develop by following an example
The building was patterned on a Greek temple.
2
: to have a design He wore a tie patterned with flags.
Medical Definition
pattern
noun
pat·tern ˈpat-ərn
1
: a model for making a mold used to form a casting
2
: a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution
patterns of behavior
3
: an established mode of behavior or cluster of mental attitudes, beliefs, and values that are held in common by members of a group
Legal Definition
pattern
noun
pat·tern ˈpa-tərn
1
: a form or model proposed for imitation
2
: a recognizably consistent series of related acts
found a pattern of discrimination in that company
a pattern of racketeering activity
pattern 1 of 2
noun
1
as in motif
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) a coverlet with a nosegay of tiny pink roses as the pattern Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- motif
- design
- motive
- ornament
- decoration
- figure
- scheme
- device
- adornment
- embellishment
- trim
- garnish
- frill
- caparison
2
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing her daily pattern begins with coffee and a bagel every morning for breakfast Synonyms & Similar Words
- ritual
- habit
- practice
- way
- custom
- trick
- tendency
- routine
- fashion
- style
- second nature
- addiction
- inclination
- mode
- practise
- characteristic
- habitude
- wont
- usage
- trait
- groove
- turn
- bag
- disposition
- set
- use
- proclivity
- convention
- form
- bent
- tenor
- rut
- manners
- attribute
- regime
- drill
- regimen
- deportment
- peculiarity
- quirk
- rote
- affectation
- mores
- pose
- eccentricity
- tic
- singularity
- jog trot
- oddity
- kink
- airs
- mark
- régime
3
as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity with her, everything must be done strictly according to pattern Synonyms & Similar Words
- routine
- grind
- rut
- groove
- drill
- technique
- habit
- method
- rote
- strategy
- treadmill
- style
- lockstep
- procedure
- practice
- program
- tradition
- approach
- plan
- design
- custom
- regimen
- scheme
- manner
- fashion
- policy
- housekeeping
- trick
- daily dozen
- way
- tack
- practise
- convention
- wont
4
as in design
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged many of the artist's paintings use the same pattern of a lone figure surrounded by a vast landscape Synonyms & Similar Words
- design
- layout
- format
- composition
- motif
- theme
- arrangement
- configuration
- form
- constellation
- makeup
- getup
- ordonnance
pattern
2 of 2verb
1
as in to model
Synonyms & Similar Words
- model
- shape
- condition
- match
- fashion
- adapt
- gear
- customize
- adjust
- suit
- tailor
- conform
- fit
- square
- correct
- tune
- doctor
- root
- accommodate
- edit
- readjust
- acclimate
- put
- harmonize
- establish
- attune
- orient
- readapt
- acclimatize
- prime
- alter
- modify
- season
- transform
- redesign
- rework
- familiarize
- prepare
- orientate
- redo
- equip
- remake
- revise
- recast
- rehearse
- refashion
- acquaint
- recycle
- remodel
- settle
- reinvent
- convert
- inure
- revamp
- refocus
- harden
- refit
- make over
- toughen
- redevelop
- reclaim
- rejigger
- refigure
- reengineer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misadjust
2
as in to stripe
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stripe
- mottle
- speckle
- variegate
- checker
- marble
- polychrome
- fleck
- streak
- striate
- dapple
- speck
- daub
- embrown
- tone (down)
- dye
- pigment
- color
- paint
- brighten
- lighten
- tint
- stain
- tincture
- tinge
- bepaint
- darken
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bleach
- decolorize
- whiten
- blanch
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of pattern are example, exemplar, ideal, and model. While all these words mean "someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation," pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.
American industry set a pattern for others to follow
In some situations, the words example and pattern are roughly equivalent. However, example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.
children tend to follow the example of their parents
Although the words exemplar and pattern have much in common, exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.
cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage
The meanings of ideal and pattern largely overlap; however, ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.
never found a job that matched his ideal
The words model and pattern are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.
a decor that is a model of good taste