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plié

American  
[plee-ay] / pliˈeɪ /

noun

Ballet.
  • pliés
    plural
  1. a movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight.


plié British  
/ ˈpliːeɪ /

noun

  1. a classic ballet practice posture with back erect and knees bent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of plié

1890–95; < French, noun use of past participle of plier to bend; see ply 2


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Quanbeck: “Sweet Dreams” is hard because you’ve already done so much of the number by that point, and then you’re in a low, deep plié for that whole sequence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2022

In the poignant second movement, the dancers perform a plié in second position — a basic ballet position in which the knees bend outwardly — as their palms face forward.

From New York Times ● Oct. 25, 2019

The 52-year-old teacher says her mission isn’t just to teach girls how to plié, but to prepare them for a future outside the boundaries of their poor neighborhood.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 15, 2019

The professional dance company invites amateurs to plié at its barre and balance across its studio floor.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 8, 2017

“But what if we have soccer practice?” asked Ruby, in the middle of a plié.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

They stretched and chatted until the teacher gave them their first warm-up combination — a series of stretches and pliés — and a live pianist began playing classical music from a corner of the room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2024

Some carried energy drinks and bottles of hand sanitizer; others brought their dogs, who settled into naps under the barre as the dancers began a series of exercises — pliés, tendus, jumps and pirouettes.

From New York Times ● Jul. 28, 2022

The week before we'd shared crackers and chats while our children practiced their pliés.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2021

You might envision an open studio, pupils all in a row, lined up to practice their pliés and jetés at the command of their instructor.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2015

Now the child stood pale faced and determined, practicing her pliés.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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