bracket

noun brack·et \ ˈbra-kət \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of bracket

1 : an overhanging member that projects from a structure (such as a wall) and is usually designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen an angle

2 : a fixture (as for holding a lamp) projecting from a wall or column

3 a : one of a pair of marks [ ] used in writing and printing to enclose matter or in mathematics and logic as signs of aggregation — called also square bracket

b : one of the pair of marks 〈〉 used to enclose matter — called also angle bracket

c : parenthesis 3

d : brace 5b

4 : a section of a continuously numbered or graded series (such as age ranges or income levels)

5 : a pairing of opponents in an elimination tournament

See bracket defined for English-language learners

See bracket defined for kids

Examples of bracket in a Sentence

The shelf is held up with two brackets.
There are wall brackets in the garage for the rakes and shovels.
She is taller than average for her age bracket.
He earned enough to put him in a higher tax bracket.
She is now in a lower income bracket than before.

Recent Examples of bracket from the Web

Income for blacks at the median and lower-income segment saw a bigger increase than comparable whites and kept pace in the higher-income bracket.

— david carrig, USA TODAY, "Study: Asians displace blacks as most economically divided group," 12 July 2018
Playing at the highest level of the game means also operating at least one team for under-10s, another in the 10-14 bracket and at least two in the 15-21 range.

— rob harris, The Seattle Times, "Enforced development helps give Europe a grip on World Cup," 10 July 2018
Each team is guaranteed at least five games, with the teams being seeded in a tournament-style bracket based upon their first three games.

— dave southorn, idahostatesman, "Here's how to watch two former Boise State basketball players in NBA Summer League," 5 July 2018
Also in the upper bracket is defending champion Alex Rodger, who is looking to become the first repeat winner since 2008.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Quarterfinals set in Metropolitan Amateur golf championship," 29 June 2018
Her confident play continued into the state tournament, where she was seeded third in the 16-player bracket.

— tim schwartz, Howard County Times, "Marriotts Ridge junior Veronica Cuellar repeats as girls tennis Player of the Year," 27 June 2018
Lens defender Raphael Varane was another Zidane put in that bracket, but Real only ended up with one of them.

— SI.com, "Eden Hazard 'Offered' to Real Madrid By Father After Deciding He is Ready to Quit Chelsea," 25 June 2018
There are three ways a player can snag a spot in the bracket, according to the USTA.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "Everything You Need to Know About Wimbledon 2018—Including How to Watch," 21 June 2018
Not even dropping a game against the top seed in the bracket in the match?

— curt hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The 8 stars of spring: Homestead's Drew Bosley, Whitnall's Haley Wynn among the best and brightest from 2018 spring sports," 18 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bracket.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bracket

perhaps from Middle French braguette codpiece, from diminutive of brague breeches, from Old Occitan braga, from Latin braca, of Celt origin — more at breech

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First Known Use: 1574

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

bracket Synonyms

Synonyms

category, class, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, species, tier, type;

branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety;

breed, race;

generation;

heading, label, title;

bracket

verb

Definition of bracket

bracketed; bracketing; brackets

transitive verb

1 a : to place within or as if within brackets

editorial comments are bracketed

news stories bracketed by commercials

b : to eliminate from consideration

bracket off politics

c : to extend around so as to encompass : include

test pressures … which bracket virtually the entire range of passenger-car tire pressures
—Consumer Reports

2 : to furnish or fasten with brackets

3 : to put in the same category or group

bracketed in a tie for third

4 a : to get the range on (a target) by firing over and short

b : to establish the limits of

bracketed the problem neatly

c : to take photographs of at more than one exposure in order to ensure that the desired exposure is obtained

See bracket defined for English-language learners

Examples of bracket in a Sentence

I wouldn't exactly bracket your paintings with those of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Recent Examples of bracket from the Web

The mystery is bracketed by another quirk: Oddly specific order sizes—many going out to five decimal points, with some repeating frequently.

— matthew leising, Bloomberg.com, "Crypto Coin Tether Defies Logic on Kraken’s Market, Raising Red Flags," 29 June 2018
On the island’s southwestern face, the Capella hotel is bracketed by Universal Studios Singapore and two golf courses.

— richard c. paddock, New York Times, "Tightly Guarded, Singapore Battens Down for a Summit Meeting," 8 June 2018
NCAA Division III Championship brackets Some early matches include: Mount Union's Nick Mancini (24-2) is the No.

— branson wright, cleveland.com, "NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships brackets set," 12 June 2017
Payton’s strong solos on piano and trumpet bracketed an extended bass solo by Spalding that was especially energetic, impassioned, and adept, Carrington accenting her partners’ work throughout with brilliant freestyle drumming.

— bill beuttler, BostonGlobe.com, "A lot of love in the air as the TEN Trio grooves at Scullers," 1 July 2018
Maeda did not start either of the two games against Oakland earlier this week, a series bracketed by two off days.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Early struggles doom Dodgers," 14 Apr. 2018
Several taller buildings bracket the site, and the Boston Planning & Development Agency recently approved a 32-story tower atop the Huntington Theatre, one block to the west.

— tim logan, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston’s retro-style MidTown Hotel may give way to development," 14 June 2018
The Griswold Wolverine softball team battled its way through the state Class M tournament bracket all the way to the championship finals, before falling to St. Joseph of Trumbull in a 5-2 loss June 9 in West Haven.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Griswold State Class M Softball Runnerup," 11 June 2018
Marshall’s many successes bracketed one notable failure.

— New York Times, "A Marshall Plan for China? It Existed, but Even Marshall Couldn’t Pull It Off," 6 June 2018

First Known Use of bracket

1836

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

bracket Synonyms

BRACKET Defined for English Language Learners

bracket

noun

Definition of bracket for English Language Learners

: an object that is attached to a wall and used to support or hold up something (such as a shelf)
: a category that includes a certain range of incomes, ages, etc.
: either one of a pair of marks [ ] or 〈〉 used to enclose words or mathematical symbols