bracing

American  

[brey-sing] / ˈbreɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

1. strengthening; invigorating.

   This mountain air is bracing.

2. of, relating to, or serving as a brace.

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noun

1. a brace.

2. braces collectively.

   The bracing on this scaffold is weak.

3. material, as timber, used for braces.

bracing British  

/ ˈbreɪsɪŋ /

adjective

1. refreshing; stimulating; invigorating

   the air here is bracing

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noun

1. a system of braces used to strengthen or support

   the bracing supporting the building is perfectly adequate

Other Word Forms

• bracingly adverb
• bracingness noun

Etymology

Origin of bracing

First recorded in 1475–85; brace + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; brace + -ing ² for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

These derelict streets, wind-swept by the bracing North Sea air, were once the envy of the community, teeming with life.

From BBC

He bent over, bracing his hands against his knees, trying to pull more air into his lungs, a delayed reaction to all his frantic pedaling and running.

From Literature

This past April, as the economy closed in on a soft landing, steep tariffs had forecasters bracing for a new surge in inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of our more bracing memories is a lunch at the Cato Institute with a dozen or so of its scholars.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bay Area’s coastline already is bracing for impact with a beach hazard warning in effect Thursday night through Saturday morning.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• invigorating
• refreshing