plait

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈplāt How to pronounce plait (audio) ˈplat How to pronounce plait (audio)
Synonyms of plaitnext
1
: pleat
2
: a braid of material (such as hair or straw)
specifically : pigtail

plait

2 of 3

verb

plaited; plaiting; plaits

transitive verb

1
: pleat sense 1
2
a
: to interweave the strands or locks of : braid
b
: to make by plaiting
plait a basket
plaiter noun

plaiter

3 of 3

noun (2)

plait·​er
-tə(r)
plural -s
1
: one that plaits
straw plaiter
basket plaiter
2
: pleater sense 3

Synonyms of plait

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Noun (1)

Verb

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Examples of plait in a Sentence

Noun (1) She wore her hair in plaits. she wore a plait down her back that reached her waist Verb My mum taught me how to plait my own hair. plaited the doll's hair so it wouldn't tangle
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.
Noun
Low-tension styles are no longer just a few neat plaits. — Donnetta Monk, Essence, 21 Nov. 2025 Like her fellow searcher Gabriela, Luz’s hair is tightly tied back into a matching plait. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
If your stylist is plaiting your hair too tightly, be vocal and ask them to ease up. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025 Among the haunting remnants, one image has stayed with me—a child's lock of hair, neatly plaited and tied with a small red ribbon, matted with mud. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plait

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

variant of pleat entry 2

Verb

variant of pleat entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plait was in the 14th century

Rhymes for plait

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Browse Nearby Words

plaister
plait
plaited stitch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

plait

1 of 2 verb
ˈplāt How to pronounce plait (audio) ˈplat How to pronounce plait (audio)
1
: pleat sense 1
2
a
: braid entry 1 sense 1
b
: to make by braiding
plaiting a basket
plaiter noun

plait

2 of 2 noun
1
: a flat fold : pleat
2
: a flat braid (as of hair)

More from Merriam-Webster on plait

Nglish: Translation of plait for Spanish Speakers

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