bracing

American  

[brey-sing] / ˈbreɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

1. strengthening; invigorating.

   This mountain air is bracing.

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

---

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

---

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

Three sisters in Big Bear Lake are bracing for the unimaginable — losing both parents.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Medium and larger-sized producers are bracing for rises in energy prices as contracts are up for renewal, while smaller producers that buy on the spot are already feeling the strain, the federation said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"Our analysis of nearly 10,000 patients reveals that simple, accessible therapies like knee bracing and water-based exercise outperform high-tech options like ultrasound. This could reshape clinical guidelines to focus on safer, lower-cost interventions."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

At the historic Bikita Minerals, the country's largest lithium mine, workers were bracing for a thin paycheque, with wages linked to production targets, and some were on forced leave, a worker said, also anonymously.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Inside the inn, Ivy climbed the creaky steps to her family’s room, bracing herself for a flourish of activity and noise.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

Related Words

• invigorating
• refreshing