batch
noun, verb
UK/bætʃ/US/bætʃ/
As a noun, it refers to a group or collection of items produced, handled, or processed at the same time. As a verb, it means to group items together for processing or handling in one go.
Example Sentences
She baked an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies for the school fundraiser.
He processed the applications in small batches to ensure each one received proper attention.
The factory produces a new batch of products every morning, meticulously tracking each unit for quality control.
After organizing her photos, she decided to batch upload them to the cloud, minimizing the time spent on repetitive tasks.
A single batch of vaccines can protect thousands of people, highlighting the importance of efficient manufacturing processes.
Before sending the mail-outs, they prepared a massive batch of envelopes, labels, and inserts, ensuring the process was as streamlined as possible.
Despite the large batch of online orders that arrived overnight, the warehouse team worked cohesively to pack and ship everything by mid-afternoon, reflecting their dedication to prompt customer service.
With careful planning, the marketing department batched their social media posts for the entire month, allowing them to focus on real-time engagement and strategy instead of daily content creation.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A quantity or group processed or produced simultaneously.“Batch” is most commonly used as a noun to describe a collection or number of items made or handled at the same time. For example, a baker might prepare a batch of cookies in one go, or a factory may produce a batch of components each hour. “Batch” can also be a verb in contexts like computing and workflow organization—“batch processing” means completing similar tasks together for efficiency, such as running data jobs overnight. In everyday scenarios, you might say, “I’m batching my errands,” indicating you intend to handle multiple errands in one trip, minimizing time and effort. Whether you’re talking about cookies, manufactured parts, or tasks, “batch” often implies a cohesive group treated or managed as one unit from start to finish.
Alternatives
If you need a synonym or closely related term to “batch,” consider “group,” “lot,” or “collection” when referring to a set of items. “Set” or “series” might work if you need a more general term for linked tasks or objects. For production or manufacturing contexts, “run” (as in “a production run”) emphasizes the act of making a certain quantity in one continuous cycle. In computing or administrative workflows, “bulk” can be useful—“bulk operations” or “bulk tasks” imply completing multiple similar actions together. Meanwhile, if you’re referring to the cyclical nature of output—especially in baking or cooking—“round” can sometimes substitute, as in “another round of cookies.” Each alternative shifts the nuance slightly: “group” and “collection” lean more general, while “lot,” “run,” and “bulk” highlight production or quantity-based procedures. Select the word that best matches the scope, context, and emphasis you want to convey about multiple items or tasks handled as one unit.
Writing
When using “batch” in writing, context helps clarify whether you’re describing a quantity of physical goods, a set of tasks, or a unit of work. If you’re highlighting the cohesive nature of certain items, you might say, “The bakery turned out a fresh batch of bread at dawn,” painting a clear picture of a complete, self-contained group of products. For more technical or process-oriented texts, you might mention “batch processing” in software or manufacturing, explaining how tasks are gathered and executed en masse for efficiency. In a narrative, using descriptive adjectives can give texture—“She carefully monitored each batch of fudge, ensuring perfect consistency.” If you’re delving into business or organizational strategy, you could write about “batching similar tasks to streamline productivity,” demonstrating how grouping work fosters better focus. Even in creative pieces, “batch” can evoke feelings of routine or repetition—“He labeled each batch meticulously, hoping to preserve some order amidst the chaos.” By pinpointing whether you’re referencing physical goods, digital processes, or conceptual groupings, you keep your writing precise and engaging.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “batch” often pops up when referring to a bunch of items or tasks done at once. You might say, “I made a big batch of chili,” to explain you cooked a large quantity in a single go. If you’re talking about tasks, you could mention, “I’m batching all my phone calls today,” indicating you’re saving them up to do at the same time. Friends or co-workers might mention a “batch of photos” from a trip, meaning they’re planning to share them all in one upload or email. It’s common to use “batch” to describe both tangible and intangible things that share a common process, whether you’re baking cookies, running errands, or handling emails in one sitting. The term keeps things casual yet indicates a sense of grouping and efficiency—or simply that you did (or plan to do) everything in one run rather than multiple smaller efforts. This vibe of “doing it all together” is central to the casual sense of “batch.”
Etymology
The word “batch” comes from Old English “bæcce,” referring to something baked—originally a quantity of dough prepared at one time. This etymology aligns closely with its culinary roots, where a baker bakes one ‘batch’ of bread or pastries. Over time, the term extended beyond cooking to imply any group of things produced, processed, or handled simultaneously. In modern contexts, “batch” appears in fields like software (batch processing), manufacturing (batch production), and everyday speech (a batch of tasks or items). While the specifics of what’s being grouped have grown beyond baked goods, the core concept—managing or creating multiples in a single effort—remains unchanged. This historical link to baking underscores the notion of bundling tasks or items together, reflecting an age-old efficiency principle that now permeates both everyday and specialized domains.
