plaster

1 of 2

noun

plas·​ter ˈpla-stər 

1

: a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance

adhesive plaster

broadly : something applied to heal and soothe

2

: a pasty composition (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions

plastery

ˈpla-st(ə-)rē 

adjective

plaster

2 of 2

verb

plastered; plastering ˈpla-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to overlay or cover with plaster : coat

2

: to apply a plaster to

3

a

: to cover over or conceal as if with a coat of plaster

b

: to apply as a coating or incrustation

c

: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance

plastered his hair down

4

: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface

5

: to treat with plaster of paris

6

: to affix to or place on especially conspicuously or in quantity

7

: to inflict heavy damage or loss on especially by a concentrated or unremitting attack

intransitive verb

: to apply plaster

plasterer

ˈpla-stər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• dressing
• cream
• poultice

Examples of plaster in a Sentence

Noun

put a plaster on the burn and don't touch it

Verb

We plastered and sanded the walls before painting them.

They plastered the walls with posters.

Someone had plastered a political poster on the wall.

His clothes were plastered to his body from the rain.

He plastered his hair down with gel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clad in creamy stucco and stone and capped with a slate tile roof, the main three-bedroom, four-bath home boasts a mix of wide-plank oak and tile floors, plaster walls, and a trio of fireplaces across two levels. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025

Thus, the scheme of thoughtfully layered illumination, including the pair of Grand Central Terminal–worthy pendants in the kitchen (each weighing in the realm of 60 pounds), plaster sconces, custom lampshades, and Deschanel’s beloved Murano chandeliers. —Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025

Verb

O’Hoppe’s face is plastered on the billboards outside Angel Stadium’s home plate gate. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Pet parent Jess, known on TikTok as @walkieswithcammy, filmed her 22-year-old rescue terrier mix, Cammy, running around the room with a smile plastered across her face. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin emplastrum, from Greek emplastron, from emplassein to plaster on, from en- + plassein to mold, plaster; perhaps akin to Latin planus level, flat — more at floor

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing plaster

• court plaster
• in plaster
• mustard plaster
• plaster cast
• plaster of paris
• plaster over
• plaster saint
• sticking plaster

Rhymes for plaster

• aster
• blaster
• caster
• castor
• faster
• gaster
• laster
• master
• paster
• pastor
• raster
• vaster

Kids Definition

plaster

1 of 2 noun

plas·​ter ˈplas-tər 

1

: a medicated or protective dressing consisting of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a substance that clings to the skin

adhesive plaster

2

: a paste (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls and ceilings

plastery

-t(ə-)rē 

adjective

plaster

2 of 2 verb

plastered; plastering -t(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to apply a plaster to

2

: to cover over as if with a coat of plaster

3

: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance

plastered my hair down

4

: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface

wet clothes plastered to his body

5

: to affix to or place on especially in large numbers

plaster posters to a wall

6

: to apply plaster

plasterer

-tər-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

plaster

noun

plas·​ter ˈplas-tər 

: a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance

adhesive plaster