faceplate

noun

face·​plate ˈfās-ˌplāt How to pronounce faceplate (audio)
1
: a disk fixed with its face at right angles to the live spindle of a lathe for the attachment of the work
2
a
: a protective plate for a machine or device
b
: a protective cover for the human face (as of a diver)
3
: the glass front of a cathode-ray tube on which the image is seen

Examples of faceplate 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.
The first step in that process was to remove the faceplate from one meter and scan it. — IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2019 Because baking soda is a natural abrasive, it can be used to easily clean these marks off the faceplate of the iron. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 Rotating ports Rotating ports are circular ports that turn within the faceplate of the wall outlet. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 Behind the removable faceplate is a setup button and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a quick-release lever for easy removal. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for faceplate

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of faceplate was in 1827

Rhymes for faceplate

See All Rhymes for faceplate

Browse Nearby Words

face-plant
faceplate
faceplate jaw
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Faceplate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faceplate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

faceplate

noun
face·​plate ˈfā-splāt How to pronounce faceplate (audio)
: a protective plate or cover (as for protecting the face of a diver)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All