plait

1 of 2

noun

ˈplāt  ˈplat 

1

: pleat

2

: a braid of material (such as hair or straw)

specifically : pigtail

plait

2 of 2

verb

plaited; plaiting; plaits

transitive verb

1

: pleat sense 1

2

a

: to interweave the strands or locks of : braid

b

: to make by plaiting

plait a basket

plaiter noun

Synonyms of plait

Noun

• braid

Verb

• braid

Examples of plait in a Sentence

Noun

She wore her hair in plaits.

she wore a plait down her back that reached her waist

Verb

My mum taught me how to plait my own hair.

plaited the doll's hair so it wouldn't tangle

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The close-to-the-crown plaits create a sleek, polished finish while helping camouflage sparse areas by minimizing visible spacing between each braid. —Omenaa Boakye, InStyle, 15 June 2026

And so into her field of vision bends her mother: sleek brown hair bound into long plaits, a smooth brow, a strong and freckled arm, dark lashes casting shadows on pronounced cheekbones. —Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Verb

The Prince and Princess of Wales' daughter has also previously sported smaller ribbons or had her hair plaited back in braids when she's worn her hair this way, and her oversize bow at Trooping matched her white outfit. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

One of the most important traditions is pineapple pole plaiting, in which artisans weave and shape materials into intricate forms. —Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

variant of pleat entry 2

Verb

variant of pleat entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plait

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

plait

1 of 2 verb

ˈplāt  ˈplat 

1

: pleat sense 1

2

a

: braid entry 1 sense 1

b

: to make by braiding

plaiting a basket

plaiter noun

plait

2 of 2 noun

1

: a flat fold : pleat

2

: a flat braid (as of hair)