brad

¹

[brad]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

bradded, bradding 

1. to fasten with brads.

Brad

²

[brad]

noun

1. a male given name.

brad

/ bræd /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of brad¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of brad¹

Old English brord point, prick; related to Old Norse broddr spike, sting, Old High German brort edge

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.

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

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I just kept working and fastened the halves together with the brad.

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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.

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

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Related Words

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