mat
mat [mat mats matted matting] noun, adjective BrE [mæt] NAmE [mæt]
noun
1. a small piece of thick carpet or strong material that is used to cover part of a floor
•Wipe your feet on the mat before you come in, please.
see also ↑bath mat, ↑doormat, ↑mouse mat
2. a piece of thick material such as rubber or plastic used especially in some sports for people to lie on or fall onto
•a judo/an exercise mat
3. a small piece of plastic, wood or cloth used on a table for decoration or to protect the surface from heat or damage
•a beer mat
see also ↑table mat
4. a thick mass of sth that is stuck together
•a mat of hair
see also ↑matted
Word Origin:
n. Old English m(e)att(e), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch mat and German Matte, from late Latin matta, from Phoenician.
Example Bank:
•The man unrolled his prayer mat.
•They hoped the country would put out a welcome mat for Western investment.
•a thick mat of hair
•the dense mat of roots at the bottom of the tree
Idioms: ↑go to the mat ▪ ↑take somebody to the mat
adjective (US) = ↑matt
Word Origin:
n. Old English m(e)att(e), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch mat and German Matte, from late Latin matta, from Phoenician.
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