plaque
plak
Plaque (noun) means a flat piece of metal, stone, or similar material fixed to a wall or monument, usually bearing an inscription that commemorates a person or event. Example: “A bronze plaque marks the house where the poet was born.”
noun
1
A flat piece of metal, stone, or similar material fixed to a wall or monument, usually bearing an inscription that commemorates a person or event.
"A bronze plaque marks the house where the poet was born."
"The team received a plaque for winning the championship."
2
A sticky film of bacteria that builds up on the surface of teeth.
"Brushing twice a day helps remove plaque before it hardens into tartar."
"The dentist showed me where plaque had built up along my gums."
"Sugary drinks can make plaque form faster on your teeth."
3
A deposit of abnormal material in body tissue, such as fatty deposits in artery walls.
"Plaque buildup in the arteries can restrict blood flow."
"The doctor explained that plaque had narrowed one of his arteries."
"A scan showed plaque in the patient's blood vessels, so she changed her diet."
How to use plaque
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn inscribed metal or stone marker, or a sticky bacterial film on teeth, or a harmful buildup in the body.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
memorial plaque
dental plaque
commemorative plaque
arterial plaque
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Word forms
- Plural
- plaques
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A bronze _____ marks the house where the poet was born.
Etymology
Borrowed from French plaque, "plate, slab," from a Middle Dutch word for a patch or thin sheet of beaten metal.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for plaque
See all rhymes for plaque →Frequently asked questions
What does “plaque” mean?
The word “plaque” means a flat piece of metal, stone, or similar material fixed to a wall or monument, usually bearing an inscription that commemorates a person or event. In plain terms, an inscribed metal or stone marker, or a sticky bacterial film on teeth, or a harmful buildup in the body.
How do you pronounce “plaque”?
“Plaque” is pronounced plak (/plæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaque” in a sentence?
Here is “plaque” used in a sentence: “A bronze plaque marks the house where the poet was born.”
What part of speech is “plaque”?
“Plaque” is a noun.
Where does the word “plaque” come from?
The word “plaque” comes from French. Borrowed from French plaque, "plate, slab," from a Middle Dutch word for a patch or thin sheet of beaten metal.
Is “plaque” a common word?
“Plaque” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “plaque” have?
“Plaque” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat piece of metal, stone, or similar material fixed to a wall or monument, usually bearing an inscription that commemorates a person or event.
What is the difference between dental plaque and tartar?
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth and can be removed by regular brushing. If left uncleaned, plaque can harden into tartar, a firmer deposit that generally requires professional dental cleaning to remove.
What is the difference between a memorial plaque and a plaque in the body?
A memorial plaque is a flat inscribed piece of metal or stone fixed to a wall or monument to commemorate a person or event. A plaque in the body refers instead to a deposit of abnormal material in tissue, such as fatty buildup in artery walls, and has no connection to the commemorative object.
What is arterial plaque and why is it a health concern?
Arterial plaque is a deposit of fatty and other abnormal material that builds up inside artery walls. Over time it can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, which is why its buildup is closely monitored as a cardiovascular health risk.
