plaster

1 of 2

noun

plas·​ter ˈpla-stər How to pronounce plaster (audio)
1
: a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance
adhesive plaster
broadly : something applied to heal and soothe
2
: a pasty composition (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions
plastery adjective

plaster

2 of 2

verb

plastered; plastering ˈpla-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce plaster (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to overlay or cover with plaster : coat
2
: to apply a plaster to
3
a
: to cover over or conceal as if with a coat of plaster
b
: to apply as a coating or incrustation
c
: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance
plastered his hair down
4
: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface
5
: to treat with plaster of paris
6
: to affix to or place on especially conspicuously or in quantity
7
: to inflict heavy damage or loss on especially by a concentrated or unremitting attack

intransitive verb

: to apply plaster
plasterer noun

Examples of plaster in a Sentence

Noun put a plaster on the burn and don't touch it Verb We plastered and sanded the walls before painting them. They plastered the walls with posters. Someone had plastered a political poster on the wall. His clothes were plastered to his body from the rain. He plastered his hair down with gel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Highlight features like white oak floors, soapstone countertops, walnut cabinets, and Venetian plaster walls that can help speak to the current trends and boost your sale price. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025 The property was built as a private home in the 1930s by Pedro Castellanos, a leading Guadalajara architect, and has retained the characteristic plaster arches and central spiral staircase. David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
But his home operation finally took off when the school newspaper ran a profile on his cookie-peddling scheme, plastering the story on the front page. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025 Humberto Leon, the co-founder of the cult-favorite, now defunct retail store Opening Ceremony, recalled seeing Lopez, around 2004, with temporary tattoos plastered across his face and neck and a quaint pair of pilgrim heels on his feet. Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plaster

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin emplastrum, from Greek emplastron, from emplassein to plaster on, from en- + plassein to mold, plaster; perhaps akin to Latin planus level, flat — more at floor

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaster was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaster. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

plaster

1 of 2 noun
plas·​ter ˈplas-tər How to pronounce plaster (audio)
1
: a medicated or protective dressing consisting of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a substance that clings to the skin
adhesive plaster
2
: a paste (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls and ceilings
plastery adjective

plaster

2 of 2 verb
plastered; plastering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce plaster (audio)
1
: to apply a plaster to
2
: to cover over as if with a coat of plaster
3
: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance
plastered my hair down
4
: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface
wet clothes plastered to his body
5
: to affix to or place on especially in large numbers
plaster posters to a wall
6
: to apply plaster
plasterer noun

Medical Definition

plaster

noun
plas·​ter ˈplas-tər How to pronounce plaster (audio)
: a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance
adhesive plaster

More from Merriam-Webster on plaster

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