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

Explanation

A pleat is a creased fold in fabric. Your long wool coat might have a single pleat in back, down toward the hem. Some pleats are creased sharply, or even stitched firmly in place, while others are looser. The pleats in a little girl's frilly dress or in a skirt that has pleats all the way around might be called "accordion pleats," while a kilt usually has one "box pleat" in the back, with simple "knife pleats" on either side. Pleat is also a verb, meaning "to make or sew a pleat."

Example Sentences

The dress’s skirt has a kick pleat, and if you glance beneath it, you’ll find five layers of underskirt, three of them meticulously embroidered, just in case the performer lifts her dancing shoe.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2021

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

His thin hands pleat his trousers as he talks.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez