batch

[bach]

noun

1. a quantity or number coming at one time or taken together.

   a batch of prisoners.

   Synonyms: troop, pack, gang, flock, band, set, number, lot, group, bunch, bunch

2. the quantity of material prepared or required for one operation.

   mixing a batch of concrete.

3. the quantity of bread, cookies, dough, or the like, made at one baking.

4. Computers.

   1. a group of jobs, data, or programs treated as a unit for computer processing.

   2. batch processing.

5. Glassmaking.

   1. a quantity of raw materials mixed in proper proportions and prepared for fusion into glass.

   2. the material so mixed.

verb (used with object)

1. to combine, mix, or process in a batch.

batch

¹

/ bætʃ /

noun

1. a group or set of usually similar objects or people, esp if sent off, handled, or arriving at the same time

2. the bread, cakes, etc, produced at one baking

3. the amount of a material needed for an operation

4. Also called: batch loaf. a tall loaf having a close texture and a thick crust on the top and bottom, baked as part of a batch: the sides of each loaf are greased so that they will pull apart after baking to have pale crumby sides; made esp in Scotland and Ireland Compare pan loaf

verb

1. to group (items) for efficient processing

2. to handle by batch processing

batch

²

/ bætʃ /

verb

1. (intr) (of a man) to do his own cooking and housekeeping

2. to live alone

Word History and Origins

Origin of batch¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English bache “amount of bread produced in one baking,” Old English gebæc; akin to German Gebäck “pastry, cakes”; bake

Word History and Origins

Origin of batch¹

C15 bache ; related to Old English bacan to _bake ; compare Old English gebæc batch, German Gebäck

Example Sentences

The latest batch of new registration plates became available on 1 September.

From BBC

The attack began on Sunday and comes at a significant time for UK car sales, as the latest batch of new registration plates became available on Monday 1 September.

From BBC

I really love this batch of songs, so I’m eager to go play them and stay busy for the next couple of years.”

From Los Angeles Times

Netflix will release the final episodes of “Stranger Things” in three batches: the first on Nov. 26, the second on Christmas and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve.

From Los Angeles Times

The last batch of £1 coins bearing the face of the late Queen Elizabeth II is entering circulation, with more than 23 million of them destined for tills and people's pockets.

From BBC

Related Words

• amount 
• array 
• assortment 
• bunch 
• bundle 
• cluster 
• collection 
• lot 
• parcel 
• quantity 
• shipment 
• volume