suspender

[ suh-spen-der ]

noun

1. Usually suspenders. alsocalledcomma especially British, braces. adjustable straps or bands worn over the shoulders with the ends buttoned or clipped to the waistband of a pair of trousers or a skirt to support it.
2. British. garter.
3. a hanging cable or chain in a suspension bridge connecting the deck with the suspension cable or chain.
4. a person or thing that suspends.

suspender

/ səˈspɛndə /

noun

1. often plural
   1. an elastic strap attached to a belt or corset having a fastener at the end, for holding up women's stockings
   2. a similar fastener attached to a garter worn by men in order to support socks US and Canadian equivalentgarter
2. plural a pair of straps worn over the shoulders by men for holding up the trousers Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)braces
3. a person or thing that suspends, such as one of the vertical cables that carries the deck in a suspension bridge

Other Words From

• sus·pender·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspender¹

1515–25; 1800–10, Americanism suspender fordef 1; suspend + -er ¹

Example Sentences

It was a racy variation on a schoolboy’s shorts, with suspenders rising between the cleavage.

From Los Angeles Times

He tied one end to a stone and the other to the bush, made a pocket in the suspenders to hold the stone, and was ready for his shot.

From Literature

A family of boys in suspenders appears; behind them are sandbags displaying paper targets with human outlines.

From New York Times

He wore a white shirt with blue jeans held up by bright blue suspenders.

From Literature

Old black-and-white photographs show them dressed in suspenders and snap-brim hats.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ally
• defender
• follower
• patron
• proponent
• support