brassiere

American  

[bruh-zeer] / brəˈzɪər /

Or brassière

noun

1. a woman's undergarment for supporting the breasts.

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brassiere British  

/ ˈbræsɪə, ˈbræz- /

noun

1. Often shortened to: bra.  a woman's undergarment for covering and supporting the breasts

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Etymology

Origin of brassiere

1910–15; < French brassière bodice worn as an undergarment to support the breasts (now obsolete in this sense), Middle French bracieres camisole, Old French: armor for the arms, equivalent to bras arm ( brace ) + -ière, suffix added to body part nouns, the resultant derivative denoting an article for that part < Latin -āria -ary

Example Sentences

Only when DNA technology advanced to the point where a complete genetic profile could be developed from evidence gleaned from the girl’s brassiere could a solid link be made, Detective Leah Wagner said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2020

“Help transcribe some of the company’s historical records, including advertisements and reports, to learn more about the history of the brassiere industry and female-centered marketing campaigns.”

From Washington Post • May 18, 2020

The US actress and singer, now 83, also patented a brassiere with hidden straps.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2017

He worked at a brassiere factory and sold the World Book Encyclopedia door to door before being hired as a fund-raiser at Yeshiva University.

From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2015

They would need nightgowns, toothbrushes, towels, but I put in crazy things in my terrified rush, Mate’s favorite earrings, the Vicks jar, a brassiere for each one.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez