English · Word Candidate

vat

/væt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: vats · vatting · vatted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A large tub, such as is used for making wine or for tanning.

Noun

Examples

a vat of liquid

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining furnace, where tin ore is laid to dry.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To put into a vat.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To blend (wines or spirits) in a vat; figuratively, to mix or blend elements as if with wines or spirits.

Verb

Examples

He was thinking of the grape arbor in Kingston, of summer twilight and the murmur of voices darkening into silence as he approached, who meant them, her, no harm; who meant her less than harm, good God; darkening into the pale whisper of her white dress, of the delicate and urgent mammalian whisper

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “vat” mean?

A large tub, such as is used for making wine or for tanning.

Is “vat” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.