plate

noun

ˈplāt How to pronounce plate (audio)
Definition of platenext
1
as in scale
a small thin piece of material that resembles an animal scale the tiny silver plates on the brooch are arranged to look like fish scales

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in diagram
something that visually explains or decorates a text the book's color plate illustrates the internal organs of the human body

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of plate Choose from classic or multicolor options, plus light switch cover plates for even more illumination. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Of course, the Cloudmonster 3’s industry-leading specs — like responsive CloudTec cushioning, a propulsive plate, and a rocker made for smoother-than-smooth heel-to-toe transitions — can have that effect, too. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026 About 50 people filtered into the Perez Architecture Center for the event, many holding plates of danishes and boxes of Royal Dansk Danish butter cookies laid on tables by the entrance. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 Add to that, the fact that the woman had no insurance, no license, a fake plate on the vehicle, and an extensive criminal record. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plate
  1. scale
  2. diagram
  3. sheet
  4. illustration
  5. graphic
  6. image
  7. drawing
Noun
  • That could give small nuclear systems access to decades of engineering investment from industries that manufacture at vastly greater scale.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • An incident of the massive scale seen in Nepal is rare, but smaller, similar disasters will be more frequent in the future as the melting of glaciers and permafrost creates unstable bedrock in mountains, according to Cook.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of scale
Noun
  • Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a hodgepodge of financial advice and confusing diagrams held together by anecdotes from Kiyosaki’s childhood.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But then the control experiment was give the questions without showing the diagrams.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of diagram
Noun
  • What’s Happening Videos of people pouring Epsom salt onto baking sheets, towels or shower floors and stomping barefoot for roughly 10 minutes have racked up views across TikTok, with users claiming the practice eases anxiety and improves sleep.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The ads were printed on large vinyl sheets, and Alterman and Ross were hanging them with low-tech loops of duct tape.
    — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of sheet
Noun
  • But the circumstances provide an unusually good illustration of how potentially enormous financial advantage can be gained from knowing in advance what a president is about to say.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Holding cotton candy in one hand, Rani—whom Hudson shares with fiancé Danny Fujikawa—topped her long golden blonde hair with a cream cowboy hat that was embellished with her name and an illustration of a rose.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustration
Noun
  • Its graphics processing capabilities were repeatedly extended into new arenas, most consequentially AI computing.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And inside, the shoe’s insoles are printed with graphics depicting piles of beads — just in case the inspiration was lost on anyone.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of graphic
Noun
  • Following Abloh’s death in November 2021, Kamara was appointed as art and image director and presented his first show, Spring/Summer 2023, in Paris that year.
    — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The telescope’s first images are expected in the beginning months of 2027.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of image
Noun
  • Winning Triple Twist numbers 15-19-27-30-36-41 Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.
    — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of drawing

Browse Nearby Words

plat
plate
plateau
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on plate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All