From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishslateslate1 /sleɪt/ noun 1 rock [uncountable]HEG a dark grey rock that can easily be split into flat thin pieces2 on a roof [countable] especially British EnglishTBC a small piece of slate or similar material that is used for covering roofs SYN tile There were several slates missing from the roof.3 → slate blue/grey4 politics [countable]PPV a list of people that voters can choose in an election, or who are being considered for an important job5 for writing on [countable]SE a small black board or a flat piece of slate in a wooden frame, used for writing on in the past6 → put something on the slate → a clean slate at clean1(9)
Examples from the Corpus
slate• In a spirit of community service, books and slates appeared.• Many academics really do believe that all of us are now beginning once again with a clean slate.• A third candidate, radio talk show host Alan Keyes, filed a partial slate.• Best Director nominees usually parallel the Best Picture slate with one exception.• The falls of the flowers are a delicate yellowish green veined with slate blue.slateslate2 verb [transitive] 1 British English informalCRITICIZE to criticize a book, film etc severely, especially in a newspaper SYN slam Doherty’s most recent novel has been slated by the critics.2 → be slated to do something/be slated for somethingGrammar Slate is usually passive.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
slate• They were slated as Wedding Present imitators and never escaped the suffocating connection with the band.• The project is slated for completion in 1999.• He was slated for his tactics when they went wrong, but how often did that happen?• Council deliberations on the budget are slated for June 25,26,27 and 30.• The flight is slated for launching between Dec. 2 and Dec. 27 from Cape Canaveral.• Fratney had been slated to be closed and reopened as what was to be called an Exemplary Teaching Center.• Old Navy flagship sites in Chicago and Seattle also are slated to open in 1998.Origin slate1 (1300-1400) Old French esclat “thin piece split off”, from esclater “to burst, splinter” 