Ballet Terms

Grand plié

Pronunciation: /ɡʁɑ̃ plije/

What does “Grand plié” mean in ballet?

A full plié or bending of the knees. Throughout the movement, the pelvis should be kept neutral, the back straight and aligned with the heels, the legs turned out, and the knees over the feet. From standing to bent this should be fluid. A purpose of the grand plié is to warm up the ankles and stretch the calves. In a grande plié the heels come off the ground in first, fourth, and fifth position.

New to ballet? Read our ballet guide — history, the five positions, class structure and how adults can start.

Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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