Boilerplate definition

boilər-plāt
Hackneyed or conventional language, usually expressing a generally accepted viewpoint.
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Standardized or set language that is meant to be used repeatedly, often in organizational publications or legal documents.
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Journalistic material, such as syndicated features, made available by agencies in a form that is already typeset, originally in plate form, for easy incorporation into publications such as newspapers.
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Steel in the form of flat plates used in making steam boilers.
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The definition of boilerplate is standard wording in a contract.

A generic clause about "assignability" that appears in lots of different types of contracts without being changed is an example of boilerplate.

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Text that is used over and over with very little or no change. For example, boilerplate is essential in the legal profession as pre-written paragraphs are often combined to create agreements. It is also essential for canned responses in tech support and is a feature of many email programs. Also called "stationery" and "templates," email boilerplate enables a message with the same subject and body text to reply to different recipients. Unfortunately, the boilerplate feature is not always available, especially in Web-based email, requiring several extra steps to accomplish the task. See boilerplate code and email signature.
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Syndicated features or fillers that are relatively timeless, sent to newspapers, formerly as stereotype plates, now often by wire, mail, or computer.
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A glib, hackneyed statement reflecting a generally accepted opinion or belief.
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Any of the standard clauses or sections of a legal document.
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Any standardized language or working that is almost always found in certain legal documents such as contracts and deeds. The terms are often in fine print and typically deal with matters that are either noncontroversial or nonnegotiable. See also contract, fine print, and unconscionable.
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Describing text of a standard or routine nature.

The contract contained all the usual boilerplate clauses.

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Used to describe a non-functional spacecraft used to test configuration and procedures.

A boilerplate spacecraft was used to test the rocket.

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A sheet of steel used in the construction of a boiler.
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The rating-plate or nameplate required to be affixed to a boiler by the (UK) Boiler Explosions Act (1882)
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A plate attached to industrial machinery, identifying information such as manufacturer, model number, serial number, and power requirements.
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(computing) Standard text or program code used routinely and added with a text editor or word processor; text of a legal or official nature added to documents or labels.

They put that boilerplate on all the warning labels.

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Steel rolled in large flat plates, used in making steam boilers.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
boilerplate
Plural:
boilerplates