Thin, narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic, often used in blinds, bed frames, or furniture to provide support or spacing.
From Middle Dutch 'slatse' or similar sources, possibly related to Old Norse. Became common in English in the 1600s for describing thin strips of material.
Wooden bed slats are actually better for your mattress than box springs—they provide better airflow and weight distribution, which is why European beds still use slats instead of springs!
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