1. a thin strip of wood used to strengthen or fasten something

1. to fasten or secure with battens
2. to feed greedily or grow fat
Usage: often used with ‘on’

Examples

• The carpenter nailed a batten across the door to reinforce it.
• We used wooden battens to hold the tarp in place.
• The crew battened down the hatches before the storm.
• The ship’s sails were battened to the mast.
• The cattle battened on the rich pasture grass.
• Politicians often batten on public fears during election season.
• The parasites battened on their host.