Definition of vat

• n. - A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for holding in an immature state, chemical preparations for dyeing, or for tanning, or for tanning leather, or the like.
• n. - A measure for liquids, and also a dry measure; especially, a liquid measure in Belgium and Holland, corresponding to the hectoliter of the metric system, which contains 22.01 imperial gallons, or 26.4 standard gallons in the United States.
• n. - A wooden tub for washing ores and mineral substances in.
• n. - A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining furnace, where tin ore is laid to dry.
• n. - A vessel for holding holy water.
• v. t. - To put or transfer into a vat.