pleat

American  

[pleet] / plit /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to fold or arrange in pleats.

pleat British  

/ pliːt /

noun

1. 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• pleater noun
• pleatless adjective
• unpleated adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleat

1325–75; Middle English; variant of plait

Example Sentences

Everybody is likely to agree that the eye-searing abundance of ill-fitting pants is pushing verisimilitude a pleat too far.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2023

And if I’m ever desperate for a sharp pleat, well, there’s always the dry cleaner for that.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2021

“We can’t produce them at the incredible rate she can pleat them, but they are delicious!”

From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2020

A single pleat on the back of this shirt gives an upscale look to the athletic top.

From Golf Digest • Mar. 9, 2020

We ease the paper covers off the straws so that they pleat up into short caterpillars of paper.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood