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Glite Dictionary
plate rack

plate rack

1.6
A rack for holding plates upright to dry after washing
  • noun
  • /pleɪt ræk/
translation icon : escurridor de platos
  • The plate rack is full of clean dishes.

Examples

  • She placed the clean dishes in the plate rack to dry by the sink.

  • After washing the plates, he stacked them neatly on the plate rack.

  • The kitchen had a wooden plate rack above the counter for easy access.

  • I need a new plate rack for my kitchen.

  • The plate rack allowed the freshly washed dishes to dry while being neatly displayed in the kitchen.

  • After washing the plates, she carefully arranged them on the plate rack to let them air dry.

  • He placed the clean dishes in the plate rack, ensuring they would stay upright as they dried.

Synonyms

rack
vsplate rack
205 1.2

A frame for holding or showing things

is a specialised one used only for placing flat eating items upright to dry
dish rack
vsplate rack
2 1.1

A rack that holds dishes after washing so the water drains off them

is specific to holding flat eating items upright to dry

How Big

dish rack
2 1.1
plate rack
1.6

Surface Forms

plate rack singular
plate racks plural

Morphology

plate + rack

The meaning 'a rack used for holding plates' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'plate' (dish) with 'rack' (stand or frame). This noun+noun compounding is a regular, compositional pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Plate rack comes from a simple kitchen picture: a rack that holds plates upright so they can dry after washing. So the name literally means 'a rack for plates' and today it still refers to that drying holder.