How to Use pleat in a Sentence

pleat

1 of 2 verb
  • Flat front panel and knife pleats around the back.
    — Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
  • My grandmother could pleat pork dumplings with grace and speed.
    — New York Times, 18 May 2022
  • Peep those bows on the front, as well as the shirring and pleating throughout.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 June 2026
  • They are pleated at the top of the drapery panel, and hang from a rod.
    — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, 27 Mar. 2019
  • The godet pleats are both polished and breezy, which is ideal for spring weather.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Her mom keeps making fun of her inability to pleat a dumpling.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2021
  • Fold and pleat the border up and around the carrots, leaving the center open.
    — The View, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
  • Fold the border, pinching or pleating dough together, all the way around to form a rim.
    — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2019
  • The filter is composed of a dense sheet of small fibers pleated and sealed in a metal or plastic frame.
    — Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 2 May 2023
  • Campbell wore a black tulle creation that had a giant, poufy pleated skirt and a high-neck collar.
    — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, 23 Jan. 2019
  • Trousers and some dresses were often pleated, and lightweight parkas set off some outfits.
    — Gregory Katz, The Seattle Times, 17 Feb. 2018
  • Alba paired the heels with a crisp white button-down tucked into beige knee-length shorts, pleated through the front for shape.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
  • The wontons, pleated with precision, arrive steamed and slicked with mild chili crisp.
    — Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Plus, the crew neckline, drop shoulder sleeves, and pleated back all add to it’s casual but cute style.
    — Carly Totten, Southern Living, 14 June 2023
  • The dress included pleating throughout with a cutout featured just below the cape of the dress.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The loose-fitting tank has wide straps and functional buttons on the front with pleating and an elastic back.
    — Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 25 July 2023
  • The filter is airtight, and comprised of a dense sheet of small fibers pleated and sealed in a metal or plastic frame.
    — Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 2 May 2023
  • Diana looked like an old-time Hollywood star in silver pleated lamé.
    — Sarah Mower, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2017
  • Tiered palazzo pants featured beneath the hemline of her turquoise tennis dress, with pleating throughout.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Then season the tomatoes with the salt and herbs and bring the outer edges of the dough over the tomatoes, pleating them to maintain the circle.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2023
  • Pleat the front edge of the wrapper repeatedly, pinching the edge closed after each pleat until the entire dumpling is sealed.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 2 Aug. 2022
  • Bella wore an ethereal plunging design with pleating on the bodice and a thigh-high slit up the floor-sweeping ruffled skirt.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The silk was dyed to a brilliant, rich Prussian blue that becomes glossier and more luminous after pleating.
    — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 28 Sep. 2019
  • The store sells everything from simple white, pleated shades to grand chandeliers adorned with gold leaves, like the one hanging above the shop floor that day.
    — Caroline Glenn, orlandosentinel.com, 29 Nov. 2019
  • For the nuptials, Bella wore an plunging green gown with pleating on the bodice and a thigh-high slit up the floor-sweeping ruffled skirt.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Middleton stepped out in a custom Alessandra Rich pleated dress with waist band and white collar.
    — Chrissy Rutherford, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 July 2018
  • Space Age-y fabrics that add structure to fashion with all the stretch and pleating are having an impact on home design as well.
    — Elaine Markoutsas, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
  • But the standout moment of the piece was the mini dress portion, made from a sheer material that was pleated throughout.
    — Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 31 May 2023
  • For hanging style, your options are ring top, rod pocket, grommet, or pleated, and the grommet and pleated styles cost more per panel.
    — Maya McDowell, House Beautiful, 14 Feb. 2019
  • Place dough circles in the wells of a 12-cup muffin tray, pressing into bottoms and up sides, pleating edges as needed.
    — Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

pleat

2 of 2 noun
  • Her skirt has pleats at the waist.
  • Fold up sides of dough to the edges of the jam to form pleats.
    — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2018
  • Pinch pleats and box pleats read as formal.
    — Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The pleats also give it some stretch to move with you.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
  • Roman shades have soft, wide pleats that fold flat when raised by a cord.
    — Alice Hurley, Good Housekeeping, 27 Aug. 2019
  • The pleats give the pants a polished look, while the wide leg is breezy and roomy.
    — Nicol Natale, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Custom pinch pleats for a wall of windows?
    — Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Custom pinch pleats for a wall of windows?
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Take care when stitching over the pleats as the fabric may be quite thick.
    — Natalie Shutler, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2020
  • It’s made from polyester fabric and has pleats for an extra breezy feel.
    — Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 29 May 2023
  • Plus, Oprah Winfrey is a fan of pleats, too.
    — Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • These stylish pants, which have front pleats and a trendy wide-leg silhouette.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
  • Her gown kept the theme going in molten gold, cut on one shoulder with pleats through the waist.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2025
  • With gorgeous pleats and a cape effect, here’s one look that’s sure to win you best dressed.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
  • This fit and flare sweater dress has accordion pleats, a tie at the waist and a slight mock neck.
    — Brittany Loggins, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2019
  • From the halter neck to the pleats, it’s guaranteed to turn heads.
    — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Discuss details, such as pleats, headers, tie backs and length.
    — Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, 27 Feb. 2018
  • Her bodice was fitted with skinny straps paired with a skirt of gentle pleats that fell to a train.
    — Leanne Italie, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2024
  • Tuck these inward and press flat on the inside of the mask so this new pleat creates a flat seal.
    — Corey Gaskin, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2021
  • From slim-fit to boot-cut, pleat-front, and more, take a look at our round-up of the best leather pants to shop now.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2022
  • The cap-sleeve tee has pintucked pleats across the chest, side slits, and a subtly relaxed fit.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
  • The flare of the pants and their diamond-cutting sharp pleat down the middle.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2021
  • Soft, subtle pleats add a sense of movement to your signature style.
    — Aemilia Madden, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2023
  • Most notably, the baked beans, in small quantities, had enough weight to stretch the pleats and fall through.
    — Bradley Ford, Popular Mechanics, 26 Aug. 2021
  • The pleats subtly smooth and disguise lines while adding a tailored finish.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Garner wore a pair of charcoal gray, stretchy dress pants with a drawstring waist, front pleats, and wide legs.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Fold the dough over the outer edges of the peach mixture, overlapping the dough to make pleats.
    — Linda Giuca and Chris Prosperi, courant.com, 8 Sep. 2017
  • The dress featured an A-line midi skirt with pleats and a corset detail around the waist.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Her skirt has pleats, just like this Amazon find that’s going for $37.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
  • The pants have a sharp pleat and flared leg that make the set a little more structured compared to others.
    — Sarah Madaus, Town & Country, 24 July 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pleat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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