braid

1 of 2

verb

ˈbrād 

braided; braiding; braids

transitive verb

1

a

: to make from braids

braid a rug

b

: to form (three or more strands) into a braid

2

: to do up (the hair) by interweaving three or more strands

3

: mix, intermingle

braid fact with fiction

4

: to ornament especially with ribbon or braid

braider noun

braid

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a length of braided hair

b

: a cord or ribbon having usually three or more component strands forming a regular diagonal pattern down its length

especially : a narrow fabric of intertwined threads used especially for trimming

2

: high-ranking naval officers

Synonyms

Verb

• plait
• plat
• pleat

Noun

• lace
• lacing
• plait
• plat

Examples of braid in a Sentence

Verb

She braids her hair every morning.

they taught each other how to braid yarn into bracelets

Noun

a hat trimmed with braid

until she was 15, she had a braid that reached to her knees

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While promoting The Deliverance, Daniels talked about the uniqueness of Close’s larger than life character, who goes from braiding her daughter’s hair while watching Valley Of the Dolls on TV to trying to pick up her male nurse (Omar Epps) while getting a dose of chemotherapy. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2024

Her dual-toned pink braiding hair was weaved into her natural color, but braided only half-way before falling into a loose curl. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Aug. 2024

Noun

Alonzo Grainger, the owner of the barbershop Headspace in San Jose, said that his Black clients have consistently been asking for fades, but more people have been growing their hair out and getting braids or locs. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2024

From intricate braids to pink cheeks, here are eight of the best street style beauty moments from day one of the NYFW SS25 season. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English breyden to move suddenly, snatch, plait, from Old English bregdan; akin to Old High German brettan to draw (a sword)

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing braid

• box braid
• french braid

Kids Definition

braid

1 of 2 verb

ˈbrād 

1

: to form strands into a braid

2

: to ornament especially with ribbon or braid

braider noun

braid

2 of 2 noun

: a length of cord, ribbon, or hair formed of three or more strands woven together