1. strips of wood or metal used to secure or strengthen something
Usage: construction; nautical

1. securing or strengthening with strips of wood or metal
Usage: construction; nautical
2. thriving or prospering, especially at others’ expense
Usage: often used with ‘on’

Examples

• The crew spent hours battening down the hatches before the storm.
• Workers installed battening along the roof to secure the tiles.
• The corrupt officials were battening on public funds.
• She used wooden battening to reinforce the garden fence.
• The parasites were battening on their host.
• Battening the canvas prevented it from tearing in the wind.
• The company was battening on government subsidies.