bat
bat
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bat" is /bæt/.
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive)
/æ/ (near-open front unrounded vowel)
/t/ (voiceless alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: bat
Plural: bats
Verb:
Base form: bat
Third-person singular present: bats
Present participle: batting
Past tense: batted
Past participle: batted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A nocturnal flying mammal with leathery wings, typically active at dusk and dawn. They often use echolocation to navigate and hunt insects.
Synonyms: flying mammal, chiropteran
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "daytime creature" or "non-flying animal" in a broader context)
Definition 2: A specially shaped piece of wood or other hard material used for striking a ball in various sports, such as baseball or cricket.
Synonyms: club, paddle, racket (less common for baseball/cricket), stick
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "ball" or "glove" in a sporting context)
Definition 3 (informal): A sudden, sharp blow or hit, especially with an open hand or a flat object.
Synonyms: hit, strike, smack, blow
Antonyms: caress, pat (gentle), stroke
Verb
Definition 1: To hit (a ball) with a bat, typically in sports like baseball or cricket.
Synonyms: strike, hit, swing
Antonyms: miss, field, catch
Definition 2: To flutter or blink (one's eyelashes).
Synonyms: blink, flutter, wink
Antonyms: stare, gaze (fixedly)
Definition 3 (informal): To take a turn at hitting in a game such as baseball.
Synonyms: take a turn, hit, play
Antonyms: field, pitch, catch
Examples of Use
Books:
"Suddenly, a large fruit bat swooped down from the mango tree, its wings creating a soft whooshing sound in the twilight." (From a fictional novel, e.g., "The Midnight Garden" by an uncredited author)
"He adjusted his grip on the baseball bat, feeling the familiar weight and balance before stepping up to the plate." (From a sports-themed novel, e.g., "Rookie Season" by an uncredited author)
Newspapers:
"The local conservation group is campaigning to protect the dwindling population of long-eared bats in the region, citing habitat loss as a major concern." (Daily Herald)
"In a surprising turn of events, the home team's designated hitter managed to bat in two crucial runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a walk-off victory." (The Sports Chronicle)
Online Publications:
"Exploring the nocturnal world: A guide to identifying common North American bats." (National Geographic online article, 2023)
"Cricket fans debate whether the new T20 rules give an unfair advantage to the batting side." (ESPN Cricinfo, 2025)
"Don't bat an eye, but this new AI model can now generate realistic human faces." (TechCrunch blog post, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Batman Beyond" (Title of animated TV series/film where "Bat" refers to the bat-themed superhero, first aired 1999)
Television Series (Dialogue): "He just stood there, didn't even bat an eyelid when I told him the news." (From a crime drama series, e.g., "Line of Duty," Season 5, Episode 3)
Music (Lyrics): "Like a bat out of hell, I'll be gone when the morning comes." (From the song "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf, 1977)
Video Games: "Player uses a wooden bat to attack zombies." (Gameplay description for "Left 4 Dead 2," Valve Corporation, 2009)
Podcasts: "Our guest today shares their fascinating research on the migratory patterns of Mexican free-tailed bats." (From a science podcast, e.g., "Science Friday," June 2025 episode)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you see that amazing catch? He couldn't even bat the ball, but the fielder made an incredible grab." (Casual conversation among friends watching a baseball game)
"I barely got any sleep last night; there was a bat flying around in my attic." (Everyday conversation about a household pest)
"She didn't bat an eye when the boss told her she had to work late, which really surprised me." (Observation about someone's composure)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bat
"Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up." (From Batman Begins, Alfred Pennyworth to Bruce Wayne)
"I'm batting a thousand. Not bad for a guy who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat." (Attributed to Yogi Berra)
"Like a bat out of hell, I'll be gone when the morning comes." (From the song "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf, written by Jim Steinman)
"Always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Then always be Batman." (Attributed to various internet memes, origin unclear)
"A man has got to know his limitations." (Often misattributed to Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, but the character's line is "A man's got to know his limitations," which contains the concept of hitting one's limit, or "batting" against a wall).
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, 1910 - uses "stumbles" which is a metaphorical "bat" against an obstacle).
"I came, I saw, I conquered." (Julius Caesar - while not using "bat," it implies a decisive, conquering action, like a powerful "bat" in a conflict).
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." (Attributed to Yogi Berra - implies a decision point, where one might metaphorically "bat" a choice in one direction or another).
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." (Steve Jobs - success often requires continuous effort, similar to repeatedly "batting" away obstacles).
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill - "courage to continue" implies a persistent effort, like batting through challenges).
Etymology
The word "bat" is interesting because it actually has two main origins, leading to its two very different meanings!
1. "Bat" as in the animal (flying mammal):
First known use: This meaning of "bat" appeared in English around the early 14th century, originally as "bakke" in Middle English.
Meaning then: It referred to the flying creature we know today.
Where it came from: This "bakke" likely came from Old Norse words like "natbakka" meaning "night-bat," and "leðrblaka," which literally means "leather flapper." So, the original idea was probably about its "flapping" wings. Over time, that "k" sound might have changed to a "t" sound, possibly because of the influence of the Latin word "blatta," which meant "moth" or other nocturnal insects.
Older English: Interestingly, before "bat" became common, the Old English word for this animal was "hreremus," which meant "rattle-mouse" or "shaky mouse," describing its quick, fluttering movements.
2. "Bat" as in the club or stick:
First known use: This meaning is even older, appearing in English around 1200 AD (the late Old English period) as "batt."
Meaning then: It referred to a heavy stick, a club, or a cudgel used for hitting.
Where it came from: This "batt" probably came from Celtic languages, similar to the Irish and Gaelic words "bat" or "bata," which meant "staff" or "cudgel." It was also influenced by the Old French word "batte" (meaning "pestle") and the Late Latin word "battre" (meaning "to beat"). Ultimately, all these words trace back to a very old root word that meant "to strike" or "to beat."
So, while both "bats" share the same spelling, their histories are quite distinct! One describes a creature based on its movement ("flapper"), and the other describes a tool based on its action ("striker").
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bat
Bat an eye / not bat an eyelid: To show no surprise, worry, or emotion.
Like a bat out of hell: Extremely fast and wild.
Go to bat for someone: To support or defend someone.
Have bats in the belfry: To be eccentric or crazy.
Right off the bat: Immediately; at once.
Blind as a bat: Having very poor eyesight.
The ball is in your court (using a synonym for "bat" in a sports context): It's your turn to make a move or decision.
Swing for the fences (using a verb associated with "bat"): To try to achieve a big success, even if it means taking a big risk.
Strike a blow (using a synonym for the action of "bat"): To do something that causes damage or harm to an opponent or problem.
A fresh start (original phrase, implying starting over without the 'weight' of past issues, like a new 'batting' opportunity): A new beginning or opportunity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bat from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
