brad

¹ American  

[brad] / bræd /

noun

1. a slender wire nail having either a small, deep head or a projection to one side of the head end.

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verb (used with object)

bradded, bradding

1. to fasten with brads.

Brad ² American  

[brad] / bræd /

noun

1. a male given name.

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brad British  

/ bræd /

noun

1. a small tapered nail having a small head that is either symmetrical or formed on one side only

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Etymology

Origin of brad

1425–75; late Middle English brad, dialectal variant of Middle English brod ( d ) sprout, shoot, nail < Old Norse braddr, cognate with Old English brord spike ( braird )

Example Sentences

Starting with the centermost box, hold the top molding piece level and attach it to the wall with your brad nailer, adding a nail every 12 inches.

From Seattle Times

Finishing touches include cardboard knobs and buttons, and a temperature meter secured with a brad.

From Seattle Times

I had been promoted from gluing on the bristles to fastening the wooden halves of a brush together with brads.

From Literature

So unless your hall stand has been jostled and tipped a lot, which would probably happen during moves, the brads holding the backing in place aren’t likely to be under much pressure.

From Washington Post

Instead of clamping the veneer in place while the glue dries, the painter could just hammer in a few tiny brads, he said.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• fastener
• latch
• pipe
• rivet
• rod
• spike