Definition of "bat" in English

noun

1. Any flying mammal of the order Chiroptera, usually small and nocturnal, insectivorous or frugivorous.

   • As well as being worth millions of dollars to the Texan agriculture industry, these mammals are worth millions of dollars to the state’s tourism industry. Texas is home to the world’s largest known bat colony (in Comal County), and the world’s largest urban bat colony (in Austin). Bat watching is a common activity, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offering more bat-viewing sites than anywhere else in the US.

2. (derogatory) An old woman.

noun

1. A club, made of wood like a baseball bat or otherwise, used as a weapon

2. A club made of wood or aluminium used for striking the ball in sports such as baseball, softball and cricket.

3. A turn at hitting the ball with a bat in a game.

   • You've been in for ages. Can I have a bat now?

4. A player rated according to skill in batting.

   • He's a good fielder and a valuable bat.

5. (two-up) The piece of wood on which the spinner places the coins and then uses for throwing them.

6. (mining) Shale or bituminous shale.

7. A sheet of cotton used for filling quilts or comfortables; batting.

8. A part of a brick with one whole end.

9. A stroke; a sharp blow.

10. (UK, Scotland, dialect) A stroke of work.

11. (informal) Rate of motion; speed.

12. (US, slang, dated) A spree; a jollification; a binge, jag.

13. (UK, Scotland, dialect) Manner; rate; condition; state of health.

14. (Kent, Sussex) A rough walking stick.

verb

1. (transitive) 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.

2. (intransitive) To take a turn at hitting a ball with a bat in sports like cricket, baseball and softball, as opposed to fielding.

3. (intransitive) To strike or swipe as though with a bat.

   • The cat batted at the toy.

4. (UK, dialect, obsolete) To bate or flutter, as a hawk.

verb

1. (transitive) To flutter

   • to bat one’s eyelashes

2. (US, UK, dialect) To wink.

3. (intransitive, usually with ‘around’ or ‘about’) To flit quickly from place to place.