1. formal complaints or expressions of grievance
Usage: formal; literary
2. mournful or melancholy songs or sounds
Usage: literary; archaic

Examples

• The citizens brought their plaints before the town council.
• Her plaints about the working conditions fell on deaf ears.
• The poet’s plaints echoed through the empty halls.
• Ancient plaints of lost love filled the manuscript.
• The committee listened to various plaints from the community.
• His plaints grew louder as the situation worsened.