Plaster: meaning, definitions and examples

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plaster

[ˈplɑːstər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

A medical dressing that consists of a soft heated mass of meal or clay, spread on a cloth, and applied to sores.

Synonyms

bandage, dressing, patch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plaster	This term is most commonly used in British English to refer to adhesive strips used to cover small cuts or blisters. I cut my finger, so I put a plaster on it to stop the bleeding.
bandage	A bandage is a piece of material used to support an injured part of the body, to hold a dressing in place, or to apply pressure. It's often used for larger wounds or injuries. The nurse wrapped a bandage around his sprained ankle.
dressing	A dressing is a sterile pad or compress applied to a wound to promote healing and protect the wound from further harm. It is used for serious wounds to control bleeding and prevent infection. The doctor changed the dressing on the patient's burn wound.
patch	A patch is a piece of material used to cover something, often used in the context of medications (like nicotine patches) or to protect a larger area of skin. He applied a nicotine patch to help with quitting smoking.

Examples of usage

The doctor applied a plaster to the wound to help it heal faster.
She wrapped the injured knee with a plaster to protect it from further damage.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

construction

A building material used for coating walls, ceilings, and other surfaces for protection and decoration.

Synonyms

mud, render, stucco.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plaster	Used in construction and medical contexts. In construction, it's a paste made with gypsum, lime, or cement used for coating walls and ceilings. In medicine, it's a bandage or dressing. The workers applied a fresh layer of plaster to the damaged wall. After the injury, the doctor put a plaster on his wound.
stucco	Refers to a type of plaster used for coating walls and ceilings, often for decorative purposes. Frequently used in architectural designs and renovations. The elegant house featured beautiful stucco walls. They chose a stucco finish to achieve a Mediterranean look for their home.
render	Specific to construction, it means to apply a first coat of plaster or cement to a wall. It's often used in more technical or professional settings. They decided to render the exterior walls to improve insulation. The render on the old building was starting to crack.
mud	Often refers to wet earth or soil. In some construction contexts, it can mean a mixture of water and earth or another substance used for building or finishing surfaces. The children played in the mud after the rain. The construction workers used mud to create a smooth finish on the surface.

Examples of usage

The walls were covered with a layer of plaster to give them a smooth finish.
The plaster on the ceiling was starting to crack and needed repair.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

medical

To cover or treat with plaster, especially to apply a medical dressing.

Synonyms

apply, coat, cover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plaster	May also refer to affixing something heavily or with excessive amounts, often with a slightly negative or humorous connotation. He plastered his room with posters of his favorite band She plastered make-up on her face before the show
cover	A general term used when you are referring to putting something over the top of another thing to protect, hide, or enclose it. They will cover the car with a tarp to protect it from the rain She used a blanket to cover herself on the cold night
coat	Commonly used when you are talking about covering something with a thin layer of a material or substance. The chef will coat the chicken with breadcrumbs before frying it The artist will coat the sculpture with varnish
apply	Suitable for talking about spreading something on a surface, such as lotion, paint, or other substances. She will apply sunscreen before going to the beach The painter will apply a second coat of paint to the wall

Examples of usage

The nurse plastered the cut on his arm before bandaging it.
She carefully plastered the burn with ointment to prevent infection.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'plastre,' which means 'to plaster' and has roots in the Latin word 'plastere,' meaning 'to spread.'
Ancient Egyptians used a mixture of gypsum and water to create a form of plaster as early as 3000 BC for construction and decoration.

Construction

Plaster is often used in building interiors to create smooth walls and ceilings, as it can be easily molded when applied fresh.
Modern plaster can include additives to improve properties like strength and insulation, making it more versatile.

Art

Many sculptures, including famous works like the Venus de Milo, were originally made by casting in plaster before the final materials were used.
Artists often use plaster for creating detailed models or molds due to its fine texture and ability to capture intricate designs.

Health

In medical settings, a type of plaster known as a splint is used for immobilizing broken bones.
Plaster casts are critical in treating fractures, as they allow the bone to heal properly while protecting it from movement.

Translations

Translations of the word "plaster" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gesso

🇮🇳 प्लास्टर

🇩🇪 Gips

🇮🇩 plester

🇺🇦 гіпс

🇵🇱 gips

🇯🇵 石膏 (sekko)

🇫🇷 plâtre

🇪🇸 yeso

🇹🇷 alçı

🇰🇷 석고 (seokgo)

🇸🇦 جبس

🇨🇿 sádra

🇸🇰 sadra

🇨🇳 石膏 (shígāo)

🇸🇮 mavec

🇮🇸 gifsi

🇰🇿 гипс

🇬🇪 თაბაშირი (tabashiri)

🇦🇿 gips

🇲🇽 yeso

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,371 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7368 soup
7369 toe
7370 surrendered
7371 plaster
7372 chopped
7373 postponed
7374 repeating
...