A batten is a narrow strip of material, typically made from wood, metal, or plastic, used in construction and other applications for various purposes, such as supporting, reinforcing, or securing objects. Battens are often used in roofing, flooring, and wall cladding, where they help attach materials like shingles, tiles, or plasterboard to a surface. They are also used in joinery, theater set building, and shipbuilding. In some cases, battens are employed to provide spacing or to create a framework for other materials.