Definition of breastplate
1 : a usually metal plate worn as defensive armor for the breast — see armor illustration
2 : a vestment worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel
3 : a piece against which a worker's breast is pressed in operating a tool (such as a breast drill)
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Recent Examples of breastplate from the Web
-
Dunne, who stockpiles materials, used a 16-foot-long python skin for the Viper's breastplate.
-
Then, a textured vest or a golden breastplate, all topped off with a vibrant coat and different colored trousers.
-
At NBA Summer League in 2014, Gaines approached everyone wearing polos with NBA team logos stitched onto the breastplate.
-
Photographs show spectacular Indian apparel — eagle-feather war bonnets, quillwork and beaded breastplates, an animal tooth necklace, dozens of beaded moccasins, pipes and pipe bags and knife pouches.
-
Interior design style: Eclectic Favorite collections: Items from international travels, including a Saudi Arabian tribal breastplate, a giant tortoise shell and antique Asian hair accessories and jewelry.
-
Interior design style: Eclectic Favorite collections: Items from international travels, including a Saudi Arabian tribal breastplate, a giant tortoise shell and antique Asian hair accessories and jewelry.
-
Its breastplate bears the colors of New York's first responders.
-
The dancers represented tribes from all over the United States and Canada, wearing traditional headdresses, moccasins, breastplates and shawls that were each unique, varying in style and color depending on the dancer’s tribe and dance specialty.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breastplate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of breastplate
14th century
BREASTPLATE Defined for English Language Learners
breastplate
playDefinition of breastplate for English Language Learners
-
: a piece of metal that covers a person's chest and that was part of the protective clothing (called armor) that soldiers wore in the past
BREASTPLATE Defined for Kids
breastplate
playDefinition of breastplate for Students
: a piece of armor for covering the breast
Learn More about breastplate
-
See words that rhyme with breastplate Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breastplate
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up breastplate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!