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

That alone should have had investors bracing for a reversal or even a correction.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Indians are bracing for summer, with temperatures expected to cross 45C in some parts of the country.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 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

This week the Transportation Security Administration is bracing to miss a second full paycheck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

I stood up, bracing myself for the encounter, and stepped from the familiar darkness of the hut into the greying night outside.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

• invigorating
• refreshing