wall plate

noun

1. Also called raising plate. Building Trades. a horizontal member built into or laid along the top of a wall to support and distribute the pressure from joists, rafters, etc.
2. Machinery. a vertical metal plate secured against a wall, as to attach a bracket.
3. Mining. one of the longer members of a set. Compare end plate.
4. switch plate.

wall plate

noun

1. a horizontal timber member placed along the top of a wall to support the ends of joists, rafters, etc, and distribute the load

Word History and Origins

Origin of wall plate¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

With a magnetic base, it can be attached to its included wall plate like a regular wall switch or placed on any metallic or flat surface for use as a remote control.

From The Verge

In Spokane, Kerr rented a two-bedroom apartment, spacious by L.A. standards and neatly kept, with family photos and mementos, including a collection of wall plates with carousels — her mother’s talisman — in relief.

From Los Angeles Times

Currently, Lutron Caseta and Leviton’s smart switch lines offer some of the simplest solutions for this and have wall plates you can use to mount the remote so that it looks just like a switch.

From The Verge

If you’re attaching your bottom wall plate to a concrete floor, visit my AsktheBuilder.com website to see how easy it is to secure the plate using just two regular 16d nails!

From Seattle Times

The magnetic dimmer can be attached to the wall plate or detached for use as a remote.

From The Verge