breastplate

noun

breast·​plate ˈbres(t)-ˌplāt 

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)

Examples of breastplate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the tour, her first in seven years, the star turned to two Indian designers — Gaurav Gupta Couture and Anamika Khanna — for the opener looks, a sculpted blue gown featuring a metallic breastplate and a red two-piece set, respectively. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 11 June 2025

Objects like dresses, breastplates and jewelry made by Indigenous artists are featured along with other pieces. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025

The breastplate was worn over the high priest’s heart. —Rabbi Ashley Englander, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

Elsewhere, prosthetics came to play a key role in the art form of drag, where performers use prosthetic breastplates and hip pads to show varying forms of femininity. —Kyle MacNeill, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breastplate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• bromate
• casemate
• castrate

Kids Definition

breastplate

noun

breast·​plate ˈbres(t)-ˌplāt 

: metal armor for covering the breast