wattle

1 of 3

noun (1)

wat·​tle ˈwä-tᵊl 

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

ˈwä-tᵊld 

adjective

wattle

2 of 3

verb

wattled; wattling

ˈwät-liŋ,

ˈwä-tᵊl-iŋ 

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

The garden that separates the main house from the casita, designed by Double Green Landscapes, melds Japanese and California influences with a variety of maple and ginkgo trees, giant timber bamboo, bower wattle, and leopard plants. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2024

Be sure to stake wattles or logs securely to prevent them from shifting during heavy rain events. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

As part of the welcome, Camilla — who wore a royal blue silk crepe dress by Fiona Clare and the Australian wattle brooch, a gift from Australian people to Queen Elizabeth — was presented with a posy by Ky, 12, and his sister Charlotte. —Simon Perry, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Thanksgiving Give your goose a harvest look with a colorful turkey tail and wattle. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing wattle

• wattle and daub

Kids Definition

wattle

1 of 3 noun

wat·​tle ˈwät-ᵊl 

: a framework of poles interwoven with slender branches or reeds and used in building

also : material for such a framework

wattled

-ᵊld 

adjective

wattle

2 of 3 verb

wattled; wattling ˈwät-liŋ 

-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 

: a fleshy process that hangs usually from the head or neck (as of a bird)

wattled

-ᵊld 

adjective