breastplate

noun

breast·​plate ˈbres(t)-ˌplāt 

1

: a usually metal plate worn as defensive armor for the breast see armor illustration

2

: a vestment worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel

3

: a piece against which a worker's breast is pressed in operating a tool (such as a breast drill)

Examples of breastplate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Take Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who went ethereal in her white macramé cotton lace bustier gown (with a breastplate that defied gravity—get it?). —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2025

Her sculpted blue gown featured a metallic lunar blue breastplate featuring a wolf motif that was molded to the singer's exact measurements, cascading into a skirt of fluid layers. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025

The polish issues that Michelle brings up with her look this week are also really big problems: The bottom of the breastplate is visible, her undergarments are showing in the back, the sizing of the hair is totally wrong, etc. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025

And then, of course, putting on Maximus’ breastplate is pretty insane. —Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breastplate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• bromate
• casemate
• castrate

Kids Definition

breastplate

noun

breast·​plate ˈbres(t)-ˌplāt 

: metal armor for covering the breast