1
: a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance
adhesive plaster
broadly
: something applied to heal and soothe
2
: a pasty composition (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions
plastered; plastering
ˈpla-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to overlay or cover with plaster : coat
2
: to apply a plaster to
3
a
: to cover over or conceal as if with a coat of plaster
b
: to apply as a coating or incrustation
c
: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance
plastered his hair down
4
: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface
5
: to treat with plaster of paris
6
: to affix to or place on especially conspicuously or in quantity
7
: to inflict heavy damage or loss on especially by a concentrated or unremitting attack
: to apply plaster
Synonyms
Examples of plaster in a Sentence
Noun
put a plaster on the burn and don't touch it
Verb
We plastered and sanded the walls before painting them.
They plastered the walls with posters.
Someone had plastered a political poster on the wall.
His clothes were plastered to his body from the rain.
He plastered his hair down with gel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Lapetina, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024
Most visually striking are Isabella Whitfield’s meticulous layouts of individual rice grains, placed in rows fixed by plaster and clay inside large flat bowls that are mounted on the wall.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
For example, there’s an impressive speaker system hidden in the ceilings between the drywall and plaster.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
While the painting’s side borders and top quarter are intact, its middle and bottom sections appear to have been ripped away, leaving jagged plaster edges.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The bedrooms continue the home’s moody elegance with shades of gray, layered textiles, and long rows of dark linen curtains that bring softness to the plaster walls and angular furniture.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024
The house has plaster walls, a curved staircase, original hardwood pegged flooring on the second level, a balcony off the back from the primary bedroom, two fireplaces — one in the living room and one in the primary bedroom — and large windows throughout that allow for lots of light.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024
Adorned with custom plaster crown moldings and a stunning crystal chandelier, the dining room is perfect for hosting lavish gatherings.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024
Some drivers tried anyway. 2023 was another rough year for President Joe Biden as some tried to plaster phrases like FKJBIDN and FBJ IN 24 on their cars.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 3 Jan. 2024
Susan Merriam, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
When winter and early spring rains come to the Southland, the San Gabriel Mountains above L.A. get plastered with powder (cue incredible vistas).
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Bong plastered a blow-up of Vattendahl's portrait on the nose of the plane, according to a Pacific Wrecks' summary of the plane's service.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2024
Bryant’s name is plastered across one side with banners showing the Laker’s regular season mark of 67-15 and their postseason win-loss record of 15-8.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024
Mirror landed endorsement deals for products from fast food to high fashion, and their faces were plastered all over the city.
—Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
The outside wall of the village hall is plastered with plaques recording how funds from Brussels paid for solar paneling, sewage pipes, road works and other improvements.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
And if the Cougars win, their prize is a second-round date with Iowa State, which just plastered Houston in the Big 12 title game.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
The tribute began with a throwback video of a young Liam dancing around in his pajamas, with children's artwork plastered all over the wall behind him.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
Check out its elaborate rooms and the decorative plasters, all of which have withstood erosion and time.
—Adam Lapetina, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024
Most visually striking are Isabella Whitfield’s meticulous layouts of individual rice grains, placed in rows fixed by plaster and clay inside large flat bowls that are mounted on the wall.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
For example, there’s an impressive speaker system hidden in the ceilings between the drywall and plaster.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
While the painting’s side borders and top quarter are intact, its middle and bottom sections appear to have been ripped away, leaving jagged plaster edges.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The bedrooms continue the home’s moody elegance with shades of gray, layered textiles, and long rows of dark linen curtains that bring softness to the plaster walls and angular furniture.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024
The house has plaster walls, a curved staircase, original hardwood pegged flooring on the second level, a balcony off the back from the primary bedroom, two fireplaces — one in the living room and one in the primary bedroom — and large windows throughout that allow for lots of light.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024
Adorned with custom plaster crown moldings and a stunning crystal chandelier, the dining room is perfect for hosting lavish gatherings.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024
Some drivers tried anyway. 2023 was another rough year for President Joe Biden as some tried to plaster phrases like FKJBIDN and FBJ IN 24 on their cars.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 3 Jan. 2024
Verb
Ethics investigation Photos of Suarez glad-handing with developers and celebrities at VIP sporting events and exclusive parties are plastered across social media.
—Susan Merriam, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
When winter and early spring rains come to the Southland, the San Gabriel Mountains above L.A. get plastered with powder (cue incredible vistas).
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Bong plastered a blow-up of Vattendahl's portrait on the nose of the plane, according to a Pacific Wrecks' summary of the plane's service.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2024
Bryant’s name is plastered across one side with banners showing the Laker’s regular season mark of 67-15 and their postseason win-loss record of 15-8.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024
Mirror landed endorsement deals for products from fast food to high fashion, and their faces were plastered all over the city.
—Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
The outside wall of the village hall is plastered with plaques recording how funds from Brussels paid for solar paneling, sewage pipes, road works and other improvements.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
And if the Cougars win, their prize is a second-round date with Iowa State, which just plastered Houston in the Big 12 title game.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
The tribute began with a throwback video of a young Liam dancing around in his pajamas, with children's artwork plastered all over the wall behind him.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plaster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near plaster
Cite this Entry
“Plaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaster. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plaster
1 of 2 noun
plas·ter
ˈplas-tər
1
: a medicated or protective dressing consisting of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a substance that clings to the skin
adhesive plaster
2
: a paste (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls and ceilings
plaster
2 of 2 verb
plastered; plastering
-t(ə-)riŋ
1
: to apply a plaster to
2
: to cover over as if with a coat of plaster
3
: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance
plastered my hair down
4
: to fasten or apply tightly to another surface
wet clothes plastered to his body
5
: to affix to or place on especially in large numbers
plaster posters to a wall
6
: to apply plaster
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