Patting

Patting is a light, flat-handed touch produced by tapping or stroking with the palm or the edge of the hand. The motion is usually brief and applies gentle to moderate pressure. Patting can be directed at a person, an animal, or a surface or object, and serves a variety of purposes.

Common uses include reassurance, greeting, or celebration when applied to a person, often on the back or shoulder. In animal care, patting is a way to comfort or reward a pet, though animals may respond differently based on temperament and past experience. In cooking or baking, patting describes pressing or flattening dough, meat, or other materials with the hand to achieve a desired shape or thickness. Patting can also occur in sports or physical training as a quick, non-verbal cue or acknowledgement.

Context and consent are important in social interactions; patting should be appropriate to the relationship and cultural norms, and individuals may have different comfort levels with physical touch. In some situations, such as law enforcement, a related term pat-down refers to a guided search by feel of a person’s outer clothing.

Related terms include tapping, rubbing, and pat on the back, which share the broad idea of tactile contact but differ in technique and intent. Patting is typically distinguished from longer or firmer forms of touch and should be used considerately, especially around people and animals who may be uncomfortable with touch.