crease

[krees]

noun

1. a ridge or groove produced in anything by folding, heat, pressure, etc.; fold; furrow.

2. a wrinkle, especially one on the face.

3. the straight, vertical edge or line produced in the front and back of trousers, especially men's trousers, by pressing, as with a steam presser or iron.

4. Ice Hockey.,  the marked rectangular area in front of each goal cage, into which an offensive player can skate only if that player has the puck, if the puck is already within the area, or if the goalie is absent.

5. Cricket.

   1. bowling crease.

   2. popping crease.

verb (used with object)

creased, creasing 

1. to make a crease or creases in or on; wrinkle.

   Synonyms: fold, furrow, pucker, crimp

2. to wound or stun by a furrowing or superficial shot.

   The bullet merely creased his shoulder.

verb (used without object)

creased, creasing 

1. to become creased.

crease

¹

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a line or mark produced by folding, pressing, or wrinkling

2. a wrinkle or furrow, esp on the face

3. cricket any three lines near each wicket marking positions for the bowler or batsman See also bowling crease popping crease return crease

4. ice hockey the small rectangular area in front of each goal cage

5. Also called: goal crease. lacrosse the circular area surrounding the goal

verb

1. to make or become wrinkled or furrowed

2. (tr) to graze with a bullet, causing superficial injury

3. slang,  (often foll by up) to be or cause to be greatly amused

crease

²

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a rare spelling of kris

Other Word Forms

• creaseless adjective
• creaser noun
• uncreased adjective
• creasy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

1400–50; late Middle English creeste, crest, apparently special use of crest

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

C15: from earlier crēst; probably related to Old French cresté wrinkled

Example Sentences

New Zealand's batters were then hopping about the crease, as Archer showed his teeth with some rasping short balls.

Read more on BBC

King weaved a web of magic with her leg-spin, conceding 20 runs from her 10 overs as England got themselves stuck in the crease and looked utterly bewildered.

Read more on BBC

On his just third collegiate carry, he exploded upfield through a crease in the defense.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Out came a few sweets and a sugary drink before she was back at the crease.

Read more on Barron's

Rather than shooting from the circles, the Blues take shots from deep and flood the crease with bodies in an effort to block Hellebuyck’s sightlines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crinkle 
• pleat 
• pucker 
• wrinkle