plaque

noun \ ˈplak \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Examples: plaque in a Sentence

Definition of plaque

1 a : an ornamental brooch; especially : the badge of an honorary order

b : a flat thin piece (as of metal) used for decoration

c : a commemorative or identifying inscribed tablet

2 a : a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface

b : a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria

c : an atherosclerotic lesion

d : a histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a dense proteinaceous core composed primarily of beta-amyloid that is often surrounded and infiltrated by a cluster of degenerating axons and dendrites

3 : a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by viral destruction of cells

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Examples of plaque in a Sentence

A bronze plaque marked the city's oldest building.
They gave him a plaque in honor of his 30 years of service.
Brushing your teeth prevents the buildup of plaque.
The scientists are studying the way the plaques form.

Recent Examples of plaque from the Web

There's room to improve, Legrand said, and that's demonstrated by the dynamic electronic plaque placed on the wall in the main lobby.

— michael walsh, Courant Community, "Legrand Receives LEED Certification From U.S. Green Building Council," 2 July 2018
The exterior is modeled after Oxford University, Tipton said, and, according to the the historical marker plaque outside the school, the tower was inspired by the Yale University Memorial Quadrangle.

— hasan dudar, Detroit Free Press, "This Dearborn high school looks like a castle," 27 June 2018
One year later, city leaders dedicated the plaque in a parking lot on the former Market Square Arena site.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "You can now find Elvis Presley final-concert plaque amid shiny new spots on Market Street," 26 June 2018
The rowdy crowd cheered as the Lady Panthers took the court at Liberty High School with the state championship plaque hoisted over the head by Assistant Coach Joe Slack as the girls followed behind him.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Panthers celebrate state championship," 24 June 2018
As the disease progresses, the viruses may come out of dormancy, illiciting an immune reaction and leading to the formation of the brain plaques seen in Alzheimer’s patients.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Childhood Virus May Have a Role in Alzheimer’s Disease," 23 June 2018
In Venezuela's struggling economy, thieves have been prying the plaques off graves to sell the bronze slabs in the black market.

— Bloomberg.com, "Bloomberg’s Week in Pictures," 21 June 2018
Some legitimate awards may have an entry fee to cover administrative costs, but the winners don’t have to pay extra for the actual plaque or trophy.

— veronica craker, idahostatesman, "Your business might deserve an honor, but be wary of ‘vanity awards’ seeking money," 16 June 2018
Later research identified the proteins that made up the plaques as amyloid and those that form the tangles as tau.

— christian holscher, CNN, "New approach to Alzheimer's fight: Diabetes drugs," 15 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of plaque

French, from Middle French, metal sheet, from plaquer to plate, from Middle Dutch placken to piece, patch; akin to Middle Dutch placke piece, Middle High German placke patch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1845

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Dentistry Terms

bridge, crown, tush

PLAQUE Defined for English Language Learners

plaque

noun

Definition of plaque for English Language Learners

: a flat, thin piece of metal or wood with writing on it that is used especially as a reminder of something (such as a historic event or an achievement)
: a thin coating that forms on teeth and contains bacteria
medical : a change in brain tissue that occurs in Alzheimer's disease