fatten

verb

fat·​ten ˈfa-tᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening fa-tə-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfat-niŋˈ

transitive verb

1
a
: to make fat, fleshy, or plump
especially : to feed (an animal) for slaughter
b
: to make more substantial
2
: to make fertile

intransitive verb

: to become fat
fattener
ˈfa-tə-nər How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfat-nər
noun

Examples of fatten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Feeder cattle are young cattle that are mature enough to be fattened for slaughter. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 Over the next two weeks, the Rockets have a chance to fatten their record against some weaker competition, before things get much more difficult. Rahat Huq, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey spend most of their lives in the ocean, which fattens them for their long migration (totaling hundreds of miles) up the Klamath River to reproduce. Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 24 Nov. 2024 The good news is that barbecue season doesn't have to be fattening. Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fatten 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatten was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near fatten

Cite this Entry

“Fatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatten. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatten

verb
fat·​ten ˈfat-ᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening ˈfat-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become fat
fattener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fatten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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