breastplate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical / historical / literary
Quick answer
What does “breastplate” mean?
A piece of armour, typically made of metal or leather, worn to protect the chest and torso in combat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of armour, typically made of metal or leather, worn to protect the chest and torso in combat.
Any rigid protective covering or part of a structure that serves as a main frontal defence; also used figuratively for something that provides moral or emotional protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference, but the term is more commonly encountered in British historical and archaeological contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with medieval knights, ancient warriors, and ceremonial dress.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, higher in specific fields like history, museum studies, and fantasy literature/gaming.
Grammar
How to Use “breastplate” in a Sentence
The knight fastened his {breastplate}.The {breastplate} was engraved with intricate designs.She wore a {breastplate} of emotional detachment.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “breastplate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The blacksmith will breastplate the suit of armour tomorrow.
American English
- They need to breastplate the ceremonial guards before the parade.
adjective
British English
- The breastplate strap was made of finest leather.
American English
- He examined the breastplate construction for weaknesses.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly metaphorical in risk management: 'Their diversified portfolio served as a financial breastplate.'
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and military studies to describe ancient and medieval armour components.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in discussing museum exhibits, films, or historical novels.
Technical
Specific term in armoury, historical weaponry, and in descriptions of protective gear for certain modern sports (e.g., fencing, Kendo).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breastplate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breastplate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breastplate”
- Misspelling as 'breastplate' (double 's').
- Using it to refer to any chest covering (e.g., a medical guard).
- Confusing it with 'backplate' (the piece for the back).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cuirass is a specific type of breastplate that also includes protection for the back (a backplate). All cuirasses are breastplates, but not all breastplates are part of a cuirass.
Yes, but mainly in ceremonial uniforms (e.g., royal guards), historical reenactment, fantasy genres (books, games), and as a metaphor. Some modern protective gear in sports like fencing is also conceptually similar.
Yes, in zoology, it can describe a protective bony plate or a patch of distinctive colour/feathers on the chest of certain animals and birds.
Pronounced /ˈbrɛs(t)pleɪt/. The 't' in the middle is often silent or lightly glottalized, especially in connected speech, making it sound like 'bres-playt'.
A piece of armour, typically made of metal or leather, worn to protect the chest and torso in combat.
Breastplate is usually technical / historical / literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the breastplate of righteousness (biblical/figurative)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plate that goes on your breast (chest) for protection. BREAST + PLATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SOLID BARRIER; MORAL/SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IS ARMOUR.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what can a 'breastplate' represent?