breastplate

American  

[brest-pleyt] / ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt /

noun

1. a piece of plate armor partially or completely covering the front of the torso: used by itself or as part of a cuirass.

2. the part of the harness that runs across the chest of a saddle horse.

3. Judaism.

   1. a square, richly embroidered vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel, secured to the ephod of the high priest and worn on the chest. Exodus 28:15–28.

   2. a rectangular ornament, typically of silver, suspended by a chain over the front of a scroll of the Torah.

4. a plate opposite the chuck end of a breast drill against which the operator's chest is placed.

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breastplate British  

/ ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt /

noun

1. a piece of armour covering the chest

2. the strap of a harness covering a horse's breast

3. Judaism an ornamental silver plate hung on the scrolls of the Torah

4. Old Testament a square vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, worn by the high priest when praying before the holy of holies

5. zoology a nontechnical name for plastron

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Etymology

Origin of breastplate

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English brestplate; see origin at breast, plate ¹

Example Sentences

Smith said social media had "gone bonkers" after his post about the breastplate and he was "held up quite a bit" on Tuesday answering messages.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Or perhaps he resembles Paul Mescal, brooding, slicked in oil, and strapped into Crowe’s old breastplate.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2024

A silver breastplate or lacquered body cast by multidisciplinary artist Holly Silius would be a dream, as would a work by Lizette Hernández in dissolved salts and stoneware.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2023

“It’s really overwhelming to see it reflected back at you, especially one of this magnitude. … I just felt like my breastplate was going to shatter, it was so intense.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023

The stallions slammed together, the blunted axehead smashed against the scarred blue breastplate . . . but somehow the blue knight had the haft locked between steel- gauntleted fingers.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin