batik
noun
ba·tik
bə-ˈtēk 
ˈba-tik
ˈba-tik
1
a
: a fabric printed by an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed
also
: the method itself
b
: a design executed in batik
2
a
: a method of decorating an egg or other object by coating parts of the object's surface with wax to resist dye
… a Russian method of egg decorating known as batik.—
Susan Antigone
Susan AntigoneUkrainian batik eggs
It's a 2,000-year-old art that involves painting symbolic designs on eggs in batik style.—Leo Smith
Leo Smith
b
: a design so executed
For a batik effect, hard-boil the eggs and while they are still warm criss-cross thick elastic bands around each one.—Jane Phillimore et al.
Jane Phillimore et al.Examples of batik in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indonesia has a rich cultural heritage of traditional fabrics like batik, ikat and songket, which feature intricate patterns typically imprinted with natural dyes derived from plants and minerals.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2026
The resort regularly hosts classes like batik dyeing and making cocktails with arak, the local sugarcane-and-coconut-based spirit.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Even weavers of traditional Indonesian batik — a fabric made through a dyeing technique using wax — have given up trying to compete with cheap Chinese knock-offs.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for batik
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Angelica Ang, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2026
The resort regularly hosts classes like batik dyeing and making cocktails with arak, the local sugarcane-and-coconut-based spirit.
—Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Even weavers of traditional Indonesian batik — a fabric made through a dyeing technique using wax — have given up trying to compete with cheap Chinese knock-offs.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for batik
Cite this Entry
“Batik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batik. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
batik
noun
ba·tik
bə-ˈtēk
ˈbat-ik
ˈbat-ik
1
: an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed
2
: a design or fabric printed by batik
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