braid

American  

[breyd] / breɪd /

verb (used with object)

1. to weave together strips or strands of; plait.

   to braid the hair.

2. to form by such weaving.

   to braid a rope.

3. to bind or confine (the hair) with a band, ribbon, etc.

4. to trim with braid, as a garment.

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noun

1. a braided length or plait, especially of hair.

2. a hairstyle formed by interweaving three or more strands of hair.

3. a narrow, ropelike band formed by plaiting or weaving together several strands of silk, cotton, or other material, used as trimming for garments, drapery, etc.

4. a band, ribbon, etc., for binding or confining the hair.

braid ¹ British  

/ breɪd /

verb

1. to interweave several strands of (hair, thread, etc); plait

2. to make by such weaving

   to braid a rope

3. to dress or bind (the hair) with a ribbon, etc

4. to decorate with an ornamental trim or border

   to braid a skirt

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noun

1. a length of hair, fabric, etc, that has been braided; plait

2. narrow ornamental tape of woven silk, wool, etc

braid ² British  

/ breɪd, bred /

adjective

1. broad

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adverb

1. broadly; frankly

Other Word Forms

• braider noun
• well-braided adjective

Etymology

Origin of braid

First recorded before 950; Middle English braiden, breiden (verb), Old English bregdan “to move quickly, move to and fro, weave”; cognate with Old Norse bregtha, Dutch breien

Example Sentences

She’s also become a pop-cultural style icon, revered for the way she wore Mexican folk dress and braided her hair.

From The Wall Street Journal

I usually use the phrase ‘braided narratives,’ that we’re constantly wanting the story to feel braided.”

From Los Angeles Times

This woman was really into bartering, though, like, if you give me weed, I’ll braid your hair, and I was not.

From Salon

Once Chantel returns home and finishes Sydney’s braids, T.J. sends the chef off with a tight embrace and the ultimate compliment.

From Salon

The center, which was founded in 1938, braids together federal Head Start funds with state preschool and private donations to run its programs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pigtail
• ponytail