plié

noun

plē-ˈā

: a bending of the knees outward by a ballet dancer with the back held straight

Examples of plié in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Move to the beat of hip hop, sway your hips to Latin music or plie to ballet. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022 A plie, arms in first position, followed by delicate steps to the side. —

Kaitlyn Schwers, kansascity.com, 26 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from past participle of plier "to fold, bend," going back to Middle & Old French pleier, ploier, plier — more at ply entry 3

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of plié was in 1892

See more words from the same year