Definition

Noun: A plate rack is a rack or frame designed specifically to hold plates, typically in an upright position, to allow them to air dry after washing.

Usage

A plate rack is a household item used in kitchens. It is placed on a countertop or inside a sink. After plates are washed, they are inserted into the slots of the rack so water can drip off and evaporate, eliminating the need for drying with a towel.

Examples

• After doing the dishes, she placed all the clean plates in the plate rack.
• The wooden plate rack on the counter held the dinner plates securely.
• We need a new plate rack because the old one is rusty.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes refer to a rack used for storing plates in a cupboard or sideboard, though the primary association is with drying.
• In a commercial kitchen context, a large, stainless steel plate rack might be used for both drying and storing stacks of plates.

Variants and Related Words

• Dish rack (n): A more general term for a rack used to dry dishes, glasses, and utensils, which often includes a section for plates.
• Draining board (n): A sloped surface next to a sink for draining washed dishes, which may incorporate or be used with a plate rack.

Synonyms

• Dish drainer
• Dish rack (when it includes plate slots)

Antonyms

• Dishwasher (as an appliance that washes and dries plates automatically, eliminating the need for a separate drying rack)

Noun

1. a rack for holding plates to dry after they have been washed