plural plates
1
a
: a smooth flat thin piece of material
b(1)
: forged, rolled, or cast metal in sheets usually thicker than ¹/₄ inch (6 millimeters)
(2)
: a very thin layer of metal deposited on a surface of base metal by plating
c
: one of the broad metal pieces used in armor
also
: armor of such plates
d(1)
: a thin relatively flat anatomical part (such as a lamina of bone) of an animal body
especially
: scute
(2)
: the thin under portion of the forequarter of beef
especially
: the fatty back part see beef illustration
e
f
: any of the large movable segments into which the earth's lithosphere is divided according to the theory of plate tectonics
2
[Middle English; partly from Anglo-French plate plate, bullion; partly from Old Spanish plata silver, from Vulgar Latin *platta metal plate, from feminine of plattus flat]
a
obsolete
: a silver coin
b
: precious metal
especially
: silver bullion
3
[Middle English, from Anglo-French plat, plate dish, plate, from plat flat]
a
: domestic hollowware made of or plated with gold, silver, or base metals
b
: a shallow usually circular vessel from which food is eaten or served
c(1)
: a quantity to fill a plate : plateful
(2)
: a main course served on a plate
(3)
: food and service supplied to one person
a dinner at $10 a plate
d(1)
: a prize given to the winner in a contest
(2)
British
: a horse race in which the contestants compete for a prize of fixed value rather than stakes
e
: a dish or pouch passed during collections
f
: a flat glass or plastic dish used chiefly for culturing cells and microorganisms
especially
: petri dish see also agar plate
4
a
: a prepared surface from which printing is done
b
: a sheet of material (such as glass or plastic) coated with a light-sensitive photographic emulsion
c
: a metallic grid with its interstices filled with active material that forms one of the structural units of a battery
d
5
: a horizontal structural member that provides bearing and anchorage especially for the trusses of a roof or the rafters
6
: the part of a denture that fits to the mouth
broadly
: denture
7
: a full-page illustration often on different paper from the text pages
8
: a schedule of matters to deal with
have a lot on my plate now
plated; plating
1
: to cover or equip with plate: such as
a
: to provide with armor plate
b
: to cover with an adherent layer mechanically, chemically, or electrically
also
: to deposit (something, such as a layer) on a surface
2
: to make a printing surface from or for
3
: to fix or secure with a plate
4
: to cause (a runner) to score in baseball
5
: to arrange (food) on a plate or dish
Synonyms
Examples of plate in a Sentence
Noun
a plate of cheese and crackers
I ate a salad and a plate of spaghetti.
A shiny metal plate was screwed to the door.
He had a steel plate put in his shoulder after the accident.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Morgan, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2023
Shake off the excess starch and transfer the battered chicken to a clean plate.
—Clarissa Wei, Saveur, 30 Nov. 2023
The tabletops are Formica, the windows are draped in lace and the time is always breakfast, whatever’s on the plate.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Form and par-bake the crust: Fit, form, and crimp the pie dough into a 9-inch pie plate.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
The straightener’s smart heat sensor adapts to your hair type so there’s overall less hair spillage on the sides of the plates and no flyaway hairs.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023
How To Teach Black History Through African American Cuisine
Let kids get in on child-safe activities—far away from knives and the stove —by mixing or kneading ingredients, placing items on baking sheets or plates, and even growing some of the herbs and seasonings needed for the dish.
—Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 27 Nov. 2023
For instance, one submission depicts a plate of hotdish in the middle of the state seal.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
SpaceX’s new system involves flooding 358,000 gallons of water from ground tanks into steel plates and releasing them through holes in the plating, as the Fish and Wildlife assessment describes it.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, each element is meticulously plated, with the end result akin to a work of art.
—Claudia De Brito, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023
The green Millenia Stud Earrings from Swarovski are octagon cut and gold-tone plated for a truly eye-catching look that can be dressed up or down.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2023
This oval locket promises to stay looking lovely over the years, as the brand notes it’s plated with a thicker layer of 18-karat solid gold on sterling silver.
—Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023
After Santander’s clutch hit, the Orioles repeated their eighth-inning output from Monday’s win, plating five runs in the frame while bringing nine batters to the plate.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 29 Aug. 2023
When at room temperature, toss the potatoes with the Radish Compound Butter and chives.
To serve, plate the potatoes on a serving dish with the Vinegar Whipped Cream in a bowl on the side.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023
Adding a touch of luxe, the watch is gold plated with a sleek rectangular case that’s got a smooth, elegant curve making a fashion statement.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Ryan Braun's three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth broke a 1-1 tie against Clay Hensley and plated the runs that would officially clinch the organization's first division crown since 1982, with the Cardinals losing on the same night to seal the deal.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2023
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Noun
At the Lazy House in Nagoya, the dining experience is turned on its head, with a cranky and petulant staff dishing out insults while tossing dinner plates.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2023
Shake off the excess starch and transfer the battered chicken to a clean plate.
—Clarissa Wei, Saveur, 30 Nov. 2023
The tabletops are Formica, the windows are draped in lace and the time is always breakfast, whatever’s on the plate.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Form and par-bake the crust: Fit, form, and crimp the pie dough into a 9-inch pie plate.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
The straightener’s smart heat sensor adapts to your hair type so there’s overall less hair spillage on the sides of the plates and no flyaway hairs.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023
How To Teach Black History Through African American Cuisine
Let kids get in on child-safe activities—far away from knives and the stove —by mixing or kneading ingredients, placing items on baking sheets or plates, and even growing some of the herbs and seasonings needed for the dish.
—Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 27 Nov. 2023
For instance, one submission depicts a plate of hotdish in the middle of the state seal.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
SpaceX’s new system involves flooding 358,000 gallons of water from ground tanks into steel plates and releasing them through holes in the plating, as the Fish and Wildlife assessment describes it.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
Verb
Handcrafted in Germany and France and decorated with crystals and jewelry or plated with gold or silver, the containers themselves are works for art, enhancements to the decor of any room.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, each element is meticulously plated, with the end result akin to a work of art.
—Claudia De Brito, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023
The green Millenia Stud Earrings from Swarovski are octagon cut and gold-tone plated for a truly eye-catching look that can be dressed up or down.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2023
This oval locket promises to stay looking lovely over the years, as the brand notes it’s plated with a thicker layer of 18-karat solid gold on sterling silver.
—Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023
After Santander’s clutch hit, the Orioles repeated their eighth-inning output from Monday’s win, plating five runs in the frame while bringing nine batters to the plate.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 29 Aug. 2023
When at room temperature, toss the potatoes with the Radish Compound Butter and chives.
To serve, plate the potatoes on a serving dish with the Vinegar Whipped Cream in a bowl on the side.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023
Adding a touch of luxe, the watch is gold plated with a sleek rectangular case that’s got a smooth, elegant curve making a fashion statement.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Ryan Braun's three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth broke a 1-1 tie against Clay Hensley and plated the runs that would officially clinch the organization's first division crown since 1982, with the Cardinals losing on the same night to seal the deal.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from plate, feminine of plat flat, from Vulgar Latin *plattus, probably from Greek platys broad, flat — more at place
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of plate was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing plate
Dictionary Entries Near plate
Cite this Entry
“Plate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
plate
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a flat thin piece of material
b
: metal in sheets
steel plate
c
: a thin layer of one metal deposited on another
2
a
: one of the broad metal pieces used in armor
b
: armor made of plates
3
: a usually flat bony or horny bodily part forming part of a covering of an animal (as some fishes or reptiles)
4
5
: any of the huge movable segments into which the earth's lithosphere is divided and which are held to float on and travel over the mantle
6
a
: precious metal
especially
: silver bullion
b
: vessels (as bowls or cups) used in the home and made of or plated with precious metal (as silver)
7
a
: a shallow usually circular dish from which food is eaten or served
b
: a main food course served on a plate
a plate of spaghetti
c
: food and service for one person
a dinner at $10 a plate
d
: a dish or pouch used in taking a collection (as in a church)
8
a
: a prepared surface from which printing is done
b
: a sheet of material (as plastic or glass) coated with a chemical sensitive to light for use in a camera
9
10
: the part of a denture that holds the false teeth and fits to the mouth
also
: a set of false teeth
11
: a full-page illustration
an art book with color plates
plate
2 of 2 verb
plated; plating
: to cover or equip with plate
plate the teapot with silver
Medical Definition
plate
1 of 2 noun1
: a thin relatively flat piece or lamina (as of bone) that is part of the body
2
: a flat glass or plastic dish used chiefly for culturing cells and microorganisms
especially
: petri dish see also agar plate
3
: a supporting or reinforcing element: as
a
: the part of a denture that fits in the mouth
broadly
: denture
b
: a thin flat narrow piece of metal (as stainless steel) that is used to repair a bone defect or fracture
plate
2 of 2 transitive verb
plated; plating
1
: to inoculate and culture (microorganisms or cells) on a plate
also
: to distribute (an inoculum) on a plate or plates for cultivation
2
: to repair (as a fractured bone) with metal plates
More from Merriam-Webster on plate
Nglish: Translation of plate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of plate for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plate
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