a pattern, mold, or the like, usually consisting of a thin plate of wood or metal, serving as a gauge or guide in mechanical work.

anything that determines or serves as a pattern; a model

You can use my notes as a template for employee evaluations.

Building Trades . a horizontal piece, as of timber or stone, in a wall, to receive and distribute the pressure of a girder, beam, or the like.

Shipbuilding . either of two wedges in each of the temporary blocks forming the support for the keel of a ship while building.

Aerial Photogrammetry . any object having lines, slots, or straightedges to represent lines radiating from the center of a photograph, used for graphic triangulation.

Genetics . a strand of DNA or RNA that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of a complementary strand of nucleic acid or protein.

Computers .

a small sheet or strip of cardboard, plastic, or the like, that fits over a portion of the keyboard and provides ready reference to the keystroke commands of a particular software program.

an electronic file with a predesigned, customized format and structure, as for a fax, letter, or expense report, ready to be filled in.

Also called safe. a marble base for a toilet.