SLATE Definition & Meaning

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slate

[ sleyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc., that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes, usually at an angle to the planes of stratification.
a thin, flat piece or plate of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material, used especially for roofing or as a writing surface.
slate gray ( def ).
a list of candidates, officers, etc., to be considered for nomination, appointment, election, or the like:
He has added his name to the slate of mayoral candidates.
tablet ( def 5 ).

verb (used with object)

slated, slating.

to cover with plates of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material:
Our team has years of experience with slating and tiling roofs.
to write or set down for nomination or appointment:
There are 39 lawyers hoping to be slated for judge.
to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time; schedule:
The premiere was slated for January.
Chiefly British. to censure, scold, or criticize harshly:
She was slated by the press for making exaggerated claims in her memoir.
to punish severely.

slate

[ sleyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

British Dialect.

slated, slating.

to sic or set a dog on (a person or animal).

slate

/ ��ɪ�� /

noun

1. a compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the effects of heat and pressure on shale. It can be split into thin layers along natural cleavage planes and is used as a roofing and paving material
2. ( as modifier )
  a slate tile
a roofing tile of slate
(formerly) a writing tablet of slate
a dark grey colour, often with a purplish or bluish tinge
a list of candidates in an election
films
1. the reference information written on a clapperboard
2. the clapperboard itself
clean slate
a record without dishonour
have a slate loose informal.
to be eccentric or crazy
on the slate informal.
on credit
wipe the slate clean informal.
to make a fresh start, esp by forgetting past differences

verb

to cover (a roof) with slates
to enter (a person's name) on a list, esp on a political slate
1. to choose or destine
  he was slated to go far
2. to plan or schedule
  the trial is slated to begin in three weeks

adjective

of the colour slate

slate

/ ��ɪ�� /

verb

to criticize harshly; censure
to punish or defeat severely

slate

/ �� /

A fine-grained metamorphic rock that forms when shale undergoes metamorphosis. Slate splits into thin layers with smooth surfaces. It ranges in color from gray to black or from red to green, depending on the minerals contained in the shale from which it formed.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of slate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sclate, from Middle French esclate, feminine of esclat “piece split off”; slat ¹

Origin of slate²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English slaiten, from Old Norse sleita (unrecorded)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of slate¹

C14: from Old French esclate, from esclat a fragment; see slat ¹

Origin of slate²

C19: probably from slate ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

clean slate, a record containing no negative reports, notes about bad behavior, reprimands, failures, etc.:
After a talk with the boss about his misconduct, he was allowed to start over with a clean slate.

More idioms and phrases containing slate

In addition to the idiom beginning with slate , also see clean slate .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Justice Democrats, which have backed progressive primary candidates since 2018, are also promising to field a slate of candidates in 2026, both in blue districts and swing districts.

From

Trump’s order casts the U.S. voting system as wildly outdated and woefully behind systems in other nations, and calls for the adoption of a new slate of nationwide voting standards.

From

But the film, which was slated for release in 2008, would never see the light of day — though he’s still looking to get the rights to it.

From

In addition to “The Bondsman” and a slate of future endeavors, there’s his Instagram where his 4.5 million followers catch witty, musical clips of him and his actor wife, Kyra Sedgwick, and other family members.

From

Attendees leaving the Colosseum on Tuesday night mused that the presentation gave them confidence in the studio’s slate of films.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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