crease

noun \ ˈkrēs \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of crease

1 : a line, mark, or ridge made by or as if by folding a pliable substance

2 : a specially marked area in various sports; especially : an area surrounding or in front of a goal (as in lacrosse or hockey)

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creaseless

play \ˈkrēs-ləs\ adjective

See crease defined for English-language learners

See crease defined for kids

Examples of crease in a Sentence

He ironed his pants to make the creases sharp.
a crease in the paper
tiny creases at the corners of his eyes
Players from the opposing team may not enter the crease.
The batsman moved out of the crease.

Recent Examples of crease from the Web

Mary used a copper shadow on Bella's crease, and accented the inner corners of her eyes with white, giving the model a major glow.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Bella Hadid Debuts Sleek New Hairstyle at Bulgari Dinner in Rome," 29 June 2018
When the puck dropped in the goal crease, DeCarlo won the race for the rebound.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "Andrew DeCarlo climbing the youth hockey ladder," 22 June 2018
Arvidsson knocked in a loose puck in the crease following a shot from above the right circle by Filip Forsberg.

— karel janicek, chicagotribune.com, "Sweden crushes U.S. 6-0 to reach final of hockey worlds; Swiss stun Canada," 19 May 2018
First, fold the fabric into quarters and cut it along the creases into four pieces.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "DIY projects: elegant table linens, instant art, winning storage solutions and more | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Apr. 2018
It wasn’t bombed from his cushy office inside the left faceoff circle, though, but backhanded while tumbling face-first through traffic outside the Vegas crease, an extra dash of grease from a diesel engine.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Alex Ovechkin 'Possessed' in High-Energy Game 3 Performance," 3 June 2018
When Holtby is on his knees over by the post, marooned there by a cross-crease pass, that net, empty and welcoming, can seem far bigger.

— ben shpigel, New York Times, "The Save of the Year Saves the Capitals," 31 May 2018
Nolan Patrick converted a cross-crease, between-the-legs pass from Couturier on the power play.

— sam donnellon, Philly.com, "Shayne Gostisbehere guaranteed it - Brian Elliott would prove himself | Sam Donnellon," 13 Apr. 2018
The jeans material, unlike traditional denim, is stretchy for comfort and movement, but can still stand dry-cleaning chemicals and hold a crease, the look pro cowboys prefer.

— melissa lyttle, Smithsonian, "The First Family of Rodeo," 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crease.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of crease

probably alteration of earlier creaste, from Middle English creste crest

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1578

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

crease Synonyms

Synonyms

crimp, crinkle, furrow, wrinkle;

crow's-foot;

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

crease

verb

Definition of crease

creased; creasing

transitive verb

1 : to make a crease in or on : wrinkle

a smile creased her face

2 : to wound slightly especially by grazing

creased by a bullet

intransitive verb

: to become creased

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creaser

noun

See crease defined for English-language learners

Examples of crease in a Sentence

a neatly creased pair of pants
The pages of the book were stained and creased.
She looked up, her face creasing into a smile.

Recent Examples of crease from the Web

To her left, a Ziploc bulged with what looked like miniature coconuts, the fibrous skins creasing the plastic.

— eric boodman, STAT, "It’s not ‘all in your head’: When other doctors give up on patients, a boundary-breaking neurologist treats them," 19 June 2018
Do not crease it and make sure the pasted sides line up evenly so the paper does not dry out along the edges; this lets the glue set.

— daniel bortz, sacbee, "Four home-improvement jobs you can knock out," 15 June 2018
Finding an undereye concealer that checks all the boxes — looks invisible on, doesn't crease, remains flawless all day — might feel like an impossible task.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "The 11 Best Hydrating Undereye Concealers for Dry Skin," 11 May 2018
The Eagles rallied from two goals down with less than six minutes left to win on Megan Whittle’s crease roll with 1:18 left.

— katherine dunn, baltimoresun.com, "Some close calls during McDonogh's 195-game winning streak in girls lacrosse," 30 Apr. 2018
Robert Lowell’s never allowed him onto her lap for fear of creasing her dress.

— The Economist, "Reflections on motherhood, without the apple pie," 19 Apr. 2018
There’s something to be said about the quality of the stuff: The creamy textures that never crease, the rich pigments, and the glossy, display-worthy packaging are all part of the irresistible experience of owning prestige cosmetics.

— glamour beauty editors, Glamour, "The Best New Makeup of 2018," 19 Mar. 2018
Call me melodramatic, but shelling out for a few coats of polish that inevitably crack or crease no less than one day later puts me in a state of minor emotional anguish.

— samantha sasso, refinery29.com, "The Chip-Proof Nail Polish You'll Want To Wear All Spring," 12 Mar. 2018
Keep scrolling to find out how to give your cut creases a Valentine's Day twist, or simply switch up your liquid-lipstick look. 1.

— devon abelman, Allure, "7 Creative Ways to Wear Heart Makeup Without Looking Like a Walking Valentine," 8 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of crease

1588

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

crease Synonyms

Synonyms

crinkle, furrow, rumple, wrinkle;

Related Words

collapse, crumple, double, fold;

CREASE Defined for English Language Learners

crease

noun

Definition of crease for English Language Learners

: a line or mark made by folding, pressing, or crushing something (such as cloth or a piece of paper)
: a line or fold in someone's skin
the crease : an area around or in front of a goal in some games (such as hockey)

crease

verb

Definition of crease for English Language Learners

: to fold, press, or crush (something, such as cloth or a piece of paper) so that a line or mark is formed : to put a crease in (something)
: to make a line or fold in (someone's skin)