braid

[ breyd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to weave together strips or strands of; plait:

   to braid the hair.

2. to form by such weaving:

   to braid a rope.

3. to bind or confine (the hair) with a band, ribbon, etc.
4. to trim with braid, as a garment.

noun

1. a braided length or plait, especially of hair.
2. a hairstyle formed by interweaving three or more strands of hair.
3. a narrow, ropelike band formed by plaiting or weaving together several strands of silk, cotton, or other material, used as trimming for garments, drapery, etc.
4. a band, ribbon, etc., for binding or confining the hair.

braid

¹

/ breɪd /

verb

1. to interweave several strands of (hair, thread, etc); plait
2. to make by such weaving

   to braid a rope

3. to dress or bind (the hair) with a ribbon, etc
4. to decorate with an ornamental trim or border

   to braid a skirt

noun

1. a length of hair, fabric, etc, that has been braided; plait
2. narrow ornamental tape of woven silk, wool, etc

braid

²

/ breɪd; bred /

adjective

1. broad

adverb

1. broadly; frankly

Derived Forms

• ˈbraider, noun

Other Words From

• braider noun
• well-braided adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of braid¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English braiden, breiden (verb), Old English bregdan “to move quickly, move to and fro, weave”; cognate with Old Norse bregtha, Dutch breien

Word History and Origins

Origin of braid¹

Old English bregdan to move suddenly, weave together; compare Old Norse bregtha , Old High German brettan to draw a sword

Origin of braid²

Scot variant of broad

Example Sentences

The Nazis used some of the same references, braiding environmental purity and racial purity.

From Salon

Now he is raising a 4-year-old daughter with the help of Barnica’s younger brother; every weekend, they take her to see her grandmother, who knows how to braid her hair in pigtails.

From Salon

My biggest thing is always trying to get it as big as I can; as colorful as I can if I’m doing braids or twists.

From Los Angeles Times

If you see the braids, they are woven to mimic the celestial bodies in the heavens.

From Los Angeles Times

Miller grew up in Alabama and spent most of her adulthood in Atlanta, where she made a living braiding hair and doing nails.

From Salon

Related Words

• pigtail
• ponytail