: a bending of the knees outward by a ballet dancer with the back held straight

Examples of plié in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Move to the beat of hip hop, sway your hips to Latin music or plie to ballet. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022 A plie, arms in first position, followed by delicate steps to the side. Kaitlyn Schwers, kansascity.com, 26 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from past participle of plier "to fold, bend," going back to Middle & Old French pleier, ploier, plier — more at ply entry 3

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plié was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near plié

Cite this Entry

“Plié.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pli%C3%A9. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!