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

Warm, textured materials such as canvas, plaster and wood sit alongside clean, modern elements made from steel and glass. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

All together, thanks to timeless (yet undeniably trendy) finishes like plaster and zellige tile, the look feels both modern and warm. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025

Verb

His girlfriend had taken a 38 rifle to the back of his head and plastered most of its contents onto the kitchen wall. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Outside is an open air patio, where family and friends gather for long dinners next to a kitchen plastered with family pictures. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 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