1. A perceptual structure
   "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them";
   - form, shape
    
2. A customary way of operation or behaviour
   "they changed their dietary pattern";
   - practice
    
3. Something regarded as a normative example
   "the pattern of not naming the main character";
   - convention, normal, rule, formula
    
4. A decorative or artistic work
   "the coach had a pattern on the doors";
   - design, figure
    
5. A model considered worthy of imitation
   "the American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics"
    
6. Something intended as a guide for making something else
   "a pattern for a skirt";
   - blueprint, design
    
7. The path that is prescribed for an aeroplane that is preparing to land at an airport
   "the traffic patterns around O'Hare are very crowded"; "they stayed in the pattern until the fog lifted"; "Pilots must follow the designated approach pattern when landing at busy airports";
   - traffic pattern, approach pattern
    
8. Graphical representation (in polar or Cartesian coordinates) of the spatial distribution of radiation from an antenna as a function of angle
   "Engineers studied the radiation pattern to optimize the antenna's performance";
   - radiation pattern, radiation diagram

1. Plan or create according to a model or models
   "The architect patterned the new building after classical Greek temples";
   - model
    
2. Form a pattern
   "These sentences pattern like the ones we studied before"

Derived forms: patterning, patterns, patterned

Type of: activity, agree, check, copy, correspond, decoration, example, exemplar, fit, gibe, good example, graph, graphical record, graphical recording, imitate, itinerary, jibe, marry, marry up, match, model, ornament, ornamentation, path, plan, practice, program [N. Amer], programme [Brit, Cdn], route, simulate, square, structure, tally

Part of: percept, perception, perceptual experience

Encyclopedia: Pattern