plait

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈplāt  ˈplat 

1

: pleat

2

: a braid of material (such as hair or straw)

specifically : pigtail

plait

2 of 3

verb

plaited; plaiting; plaits

transitive verb

1

: pleat sense 1

2

a

: to interweave the strands or locks of : braid

b

: to make by plaiting

plait a basket

plaiter noun

plaiter

3 of 3

noun (2)

plait·​er

-tə(r)

plural -s

1

: one that plaits

straw plaiter

basket plaiter

2

: pleater sense 3

Synonyms of plait

Noun (1)

• braid

Verb

• braid

Examples of plait in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Parker’s hair was gathered into an enormous, layered, fishtail braid that starts high on the back of her head with a bow, its ends interlaced intermittently with the incredibly thick folds of the plaits. — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026

Her glossy hair, braided into two plaits, hung down over her shoulders in a style unusual for young girls these days. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Prince and Princess of Wales' daughter has also previously sported smaller ribbons or had her hair plaited back in braids when she's worn her hair this way, and her oversize bow at Trooping matched her white outfit. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

One of the most important traditions is pineapple pole plaiting, in which artisans weave and shape materials into intricate forms. — Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

variant of pleat entry 2

Verb

variant of pleat entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plait

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

plait

1 of 2 verb

ˈplāt  ˈplat 

1

: pleat sense 1

2

a

: braid entry 1 sense 1

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)