pleat

[ pleet ]

noun

1. a fold of definite, even width made by doubling cloth or the like upon itself and pressing or stitching it in place.

verb (used with object)

1. to fold or arrange in pleats.

pleat

/ pliːt /

noun

1. See sunburst pleats, knife pleat, kick pleat, inverted pleat, box pleat
   any of various types of fold formed by doubling back fabric and pressing, stitching, or steaming into place See also box pleat inverted pleat kick pleat knife pleat sunburst pleats

verb

1. tr to arrange (material, part of a garment, etc) in pleats

Other Words From

• pleater noun
• pleatless adjective
• un·pleated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleat¹

1325–75; Middle English; variant of plait

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleat¹

C16: variant of plait

Example Sentences

Some resemble the tight corkscrew ringlets of a 1980s perm or the pleats of an accordion.

From Science News

Pleats should be approximately 1 ½ inches wide on the outside, a half-inch wide on the inside, and be parallel to the nose band.

From Popular-Science

The kids are wearing bottoms with animal print, chains and charms, pleats, textures, neon colors, and shades of brown and beige.

From Vox

You look at a structured coat from the front, and then from the back you see this beautiful pleat.

From The Daily Beast

Some have one pleat on each leg rather than double pleats, for example.

From The Daily Beast

Captain Raff had done the bandaging: he stood back from the last neat pleat.

From Project Gutenberg

If a soft-looking or puffy, “fat”-looking bow is desired, pleat the ribbon singly before making the loops.

From Project Gutenberg

If the pleats are to be one-half inch deep, the box pleat will be one inch across.

From Project Gutenberg

Be very accurate, being careful to keep the box pleat the exact width desired.

From Project Gutenberg

The pleating may be caught together at top and bottom of box pleat, and it is then known as rose pleating.

From Project Gutenberg