Illustration of braille
- braille alphabet
variants
or Braille
: a system of writing for people who are blind that uses characters made up of raised dots
braille
transitive verb
brailled; brailling
Did you know?
In 1824, Louis Braille invented the system we call braille, a universal system of writing and printing for the blind. Characters embossed on paper are read by passing the fingers lightly over the manuscript. The system is based on a matrix of six raised dots arranged in two columns of three. The 63 combinations possible in this framework stand for letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and common words like and and the. A braille code for English was not adopted until 1932. Modifications also exist for other languages, for mathematical and technical material, and for musical notation. Braille may be handwritten—from right to left— using a stylus to press dots into a piece of paper between hinged metal plates When the sheet is turned over, the dots face up, and are read from left to right. Braille typewriters and electric embossing machines are also used.
Examples of braille in a Sentence
a book made available in braille
Recent Examples on the Web
Others may need costlier resources, such as those that translate their lessons into braille.
—
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
The storytime will be followed by braille book exploration in which kids will experience tactile reading (braille is a tactile code that enables people to read by touch).
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
To obtain braille services from the Society for the Blind Sacramento, Roeseler encourages businesses to visit the organization’s website or call 916-452-8271.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Accessibility The InterContinental has accessible routes, wheelchair-accessible rooms (with options for roll-in showers), and visual alarms, in addition to accessible parking, a pool hoist, braille signage, and accessible meeting rooms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
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Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
The storytime will be followed by braille book exploration in which kids will experience tactile reading (braille is a tactile code that enables people to read by touch).
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
To obtain braille services from the Society for the Blind Sacramento, Roeseler encourages businesses to visit the organization’s website or call 916-452-8271.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Accessibility The InterContinental has accessible routes, wheelchair-accessible rooms (with options for roll-in showers), and visual alarms, in addition to accessible parking, a pool hoist, braille signage, and accessible meeting rooms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for braille
Cite this Entry
“Braille.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/braille. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
braille
nounoften capitalized
: a system of writing for the blind in which letters are represented by raised dots
Etymology
named for Louis Braille who developed the system
Medical Definition
braille
nounoften capitalized
: a system of writing for people who are blind that uses characters made up of raised dots
braille
transitive verb
brailled; brailling
Biographical Definition
Braille
biographical name
ˈbrāl 
ˈbrī
Louis 1809–1852 French blind teacher who taught other blind people
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