Pronunciation: - ˌ m ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -mat · ed ; -mat · ing
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 a : to bring near or close b : to bring (cut edges of tissue) together
2 : to come near to or be close to in position, value, or characteristics <a child tries to approximate his parents' speech>
intransitive verb : to come close ― usually used with to