braces

American  

[brey-siz] / ˈbreɪ sɪz /

plural noun

1. Orthodontics. brace.

2. Chiefly British. suspenders.

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braces British  

/ ˈbreɪsɪz /

plural noun

1. US and Canadian word: suspenders.  a pair of straps worn over the shoulders by men for holding up the trousers

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Explanation

Braces are put on your teeth to help straighten them. Braces are most often seen on kids between the ages of nine and fourteen, but every once in a while you might find an adult with them too! Braces are orthodontic devices that date back to ancient times. Some Egyptian mummies have been discovered with makeshift ones. Modern-day braces work by applying gentle pressure to shift teeth into their desired positions using wires, brackets, and colorful rubber bands. While a journey with braces involves some discomfort and tooth sensitivity, the end result is often a wonderfully aligned set of teeth that can boost both oral health and confidence.

Example Sentences

The company is restricting access to the model to help governments, tech giants and banks secure their systems as the cyber-security world braces for its general release.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

A series of yellow wind and snow warnings are set to take effect on Saturday afternoon as the country braces for a blustery Easter weekend.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The most recent work, Berenice Olmedo’s “Amalia,” a motorized sculpture of a leg made from medical prostheses, splints and braces, was created in 2021, a comment on difficulties faced by the disabled.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The study compared 12 different therapies, including laser therapy, electrical stimulation, knee braces, insoles, kinesiology tape, water-based therapy, exercise, and ultrasound.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Through the windowed double doors, I made eye contact with a tall, reddish-brown-haired, honey-eyed girl waving and smiling with a mouth full of tiny colorful braces.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya