What does "lat" mean?
Initialism of lowest astronomical tide.
Lat
/lɑt/ adj, name, noun, slang
adj, name, noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Initialism of lowest astronomical tide.
- Grammar: lat is listed as adj, name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: latissimus dorsi, back muscle, geographic, geographic latitude.
- Useful contrasts: antagonist muscle, central, longitude.
- Usage evidence: In 1814, Thomas Spalding made on Sapelo Island, in lat. 31 1⁄2, as much as 95 hogsheads of excellent sugar, equal to Jamaica, from Canes he had planted there.
How to use "lat"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lat" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lat" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lat" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lat" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lat" is acting as adj, name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "latissimus dorsi" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lat", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Initialism of lowest astronomical tide. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 2 A staff, particularly one of an Indian kind. rare
- 3 A latrine: a rudimentary or military facility for urination and defecation. UK, plural-normally, slang
"At Salisbury Plain and Camberley in 1909/10 I learnt a number of camping expressions like... lats (latrines)."
- 4 The gold-backed monetary unit of Latvia from August 1922 until April 1941, when it was replaced by the Soviet ruble; it was typically pegged at about 25 to the British pound. historical
- 5 A latissimus dorsi muscle. plural-normally, slang
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 Clipping of latitude. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, informal
- 7 a broad flat muscle on either side of the back wordnet
- 8 Initialism of laboratory animal technician. US, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 9 A monumental pillar, particularly the Buddhist columns erected in East India.
"A high pillar of stone called Bheem-lat, or the Tealee, or oilman's lat or staff."
- 10 The floating fiat monetary unit of Latvia from 1992 until January 2014, when it was replaced by the euro. historical
- 11 Acronym of large air tanker, a class of waterbomber. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 12 A coin or bill of either currency.
- 13 Initialism of living apart together, describing a couple who live at different addresses. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
"Those who study these couples, who are part of a group known as LATs (living apart together), agree that their numbers are on the rise, though figures are hard to come by, according to Ms. Lindemann."
Adjective
- 1 Initialism of living apart together, describing people in an intimate relationship who live at different addresses. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, not-comparable
"My stepmother, aware of trends, told us we would be “LAT,” for “living apart together,” referring to couples that choose to live separately — even far apart — while remaining committed."
Proper Noun
- 1 Initialism of Los Angeles Times. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 2 The station code of Lam Tin in Hong Kong.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"In 1814, Thomas Spalding made on Sapelo Island, in lat. 31 1⁄2, as much as 95 hogsheads of excellent sugar, equal to Jamaica, from Canes he had planted there."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lat"?
Common synonyms include: latissimus dorsi, back muscle, geographic, geographic latitude, lateral, latitude.
How do you use "lat" in a sentence?
In 1814, Thomas Spalding made on Sapelo Island, in lat. 31 1⁄2, as much as 95 hogsheads of excellent sugar, equal to Jamaica, from Canes he had planted there.
How do you pronounce "lat"?
Pronounced /lɑt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Hindi लाट (lāṭ, “pillar; minaret; staff, club”), लाठ (lāṭh, “long staff; cudgel”), etc.
Etymology 2
Clipping of latrine.
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Latvian lats, a clipping of Latvija (“Latvia”).
Etymology 4
Clipping of latissimus.
Etymology 5
Clipping of latitude.