bat bat /ˈbæt/

noun

1. () Nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate  ( chiropteran , flittermouse [Archaic] , bat )
   nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
    The bat darted through the night sky, catching insects for its meal
   The bat darted through the night sky, catching insects for its meal
   
   
2. () (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit  ( at-bat , bat )
   (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit
    He was at bat when it happened
   he was at bat when it happened
    He got four hits in four at-bats
   he got four hits in four at-bats
   
3. A club used for hitting a ball in various games  ( bat )
   a club used for hitting a ball in various games
    The baseball player swung his bat and hit a home run
   The baseball player swung his bat and hit a home run
   
   
4. The club used in playing cricket  ( bat , cricket bat )
   the club used in playing cricket
    A cricket bat has a narrow handle and a broad flat end for hitting
   a cricket bat has a narrow handle and a broad flat end for hitting
   
   
5. A small racket with a long handle used for playing squash  ( bat , squash racket , squash racquet )
   a small racket with a long handle used for playing squash
   
   

verb

1. () Strike with, or as if with a baseball bat  ( bat )
   strike with, or as if with a baseball bat
    Bat the ball
   bat the ball
   
2. () Wink briefly  ( flutter , bat )
   wink briefly
    Bat one's eyelids
   bat one's eyelids
   
3. Beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight  ( bat , clobber [Informal] , cream [Informal] , drub , thrash [Informal] , beat hollow [Informal] , marmalise [Informal, British] , marmalize [Informal, British] , marmelise [Informal, British] , lick [Informal] , marmelize [Informal, British] , tromp [Informal, N. American] , wipe the floor [Informal] )
   beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
    We licked the other team on Sunday!
   We licked the other team on Sunday!
   
4. Use a bat  ( bat )
   use a bat
    Who's batting?
   Who's batting?
   
5. Have a turn at bat  ( bat )
   have a turn at bat
    Jones bats first, followed by Martinez
   Jones bats first, followed by Martinez