plait

1 of 2

noun

1
: pleat
2
: a braid of material (such as hair or straw)
specifically : pigtail

plait

2 of 2

verb

plaited; plaiting; plaits

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to interweave the strands or locks of : braid
b
: to make by plaiting
plait a basket
plaiter noun

Example Sentences

Noun She wore her hair in plaits. she wore a plait down her back that reached her waist Verb My mum taught me how to plait my own hair. plaited the doll's hair so it wouldn't tangle
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Each waist-length braid had multiple jelly-like beads in various colors and shapes woven in, spaced out along the plait. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 1 Dec. 2022 Next, create the simple plait before adding another scrunchie to secure the ends — and voilà, you're all done. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 15 July 2022 My aunt Bapsy's chunky plait was a thing of beauty. Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 4 Oct. 2022 If this is your first attempt, our how-to video along with the recipe will lead you to a perfect plait. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2022 Then, clamp the iron down each plait to lock in the shape. Amber Kallor, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 But for the 2022 Oscars, the Dune actor decided to change things up a bit with a completely unexpected twist — or rather, a plait. Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Mar. 2022 But the numbers above imply ubiquity—a new plait in the fabric of society. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022 Merriweather is keen on emphasizing that each plait is done by hand to call attention to the time and care put into these hairstyles. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 21 Mar. 2022
Verb
Just as there are two distinct ways to plait your fingers, there are two distinct ways to do a faro. Guest Blogger, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2012 Leane was schooled in the art of Victorian era hair jewelry, learning to plait hair specifically for the jewelry, and encase it in glass. Jill Newman, Town & Country, 30 Dec. 2021 Price was wearing a blue summer dress and her thick hair was plaited in two French braids. Deneen L. Brown, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2019 Nishia’s hair is still plaited into the dark blue braids that Ashlynn did for her – new hair for the start of school. Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2019 Her hair was plaited into dreadlocks, covered with thick paste, and finished with tassels that looked like cows’ tails. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Dec. 2018 With heads of bisque, eyes of glass, and wigs of human hair—carefully plaited and curled—they are flawlessly composed and quite contained. Laura Jacobs, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2018 Another clip showcases the star using her plait as a prop in her choreography. Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 1 Aug. 2018 Her pigtails were perfect, each plaited into a tight, long braid and secured with a ribbon. Longreads, 26 June 2018 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

variant of pleat entry 2

Verb

variant of pleat entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plait was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near plait

Cite this Entry

“Plait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plait. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

plait

1 of 2 verb
1
2
b
: to make by braiding
plaiting a basket
plaiter noun

plait

2 of 2 noun
1
: a flat fold : pleat
2
: a flat braid (as of hair)

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