plain weave

noun

: a weave in which the threads interlace alternately

Examples of plain weave 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.
Operating within the confines of her old-school loom, Contro tends toward plain weaves and twills, preferring the look, feel, and drape of those simple structures. — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 In percale fabrics, cotton fibers are woven in a traditional plain weave, yielding a crisp, light feel. — Mary Grace Granados special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026 Made with three layers of polyester and the brand’s PeakProof plain weave with a DWR finish, this fully waterproof jacket is on the thicker side of shells, according to Popp. — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025 The forecast also calls for more bottoms made with shirting weight fabrics like crisp cotton poplin and plain weaves. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plain weave

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plain weave was in 1888

Rhymes for plain weave

See All Rhymes for plain weave

Browse Nearby Words

plain wanderer
plain weave
plain work
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plain weave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plain%20weave. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

plain weave

noun
: a weave in which the threads cross by lacing together alternately
plain-woven adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on plain weave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plain weave

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All