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brad

noun
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\ ˈbrad How to pronounce brad (audio) \

Definition of brad

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a thin nail of the same thickness throughout but tapering in width and having a slight projection at the top of one side instead of a head
2 : a slender wire nail with a small barrel-shaped head

brad

verb
bradded; bradding

Definition of brad (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to fasten with brads

Examples of brad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Install a 3⁄4-inch brad-point bit in the drill press and mark a reference line on its fence to match the center of the bit. — Richard Romanski, Popular Mechanics, "How To Build the Ultimate DIY Workbench," 18 Jan. 2020 Thread a brad through the hole in the larger gear and then through the hole in the cardboard. — Scientific American, "Gear Up Your Candy," 21 Nov. 2019 The fastest cordless brad nailer out there is also sleek and lightweight. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Cordless Nail Guns," 30 Oct. 2019 Attach the smaller gear to the cardboard with a brad. — Scientific American, "Gear Up Your Candy," 21 Nov. 2019 The half circles are warped, and some brads have fallen out. — Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "Warped wood around hall rack mirror may not be a problem," 11 Nov. 2019 Tack-nail each part using a pneumatic pin nailer or a hammer in a few brads. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "Three Ways to Build Your Own Shelves," 24 Jan. 2019 Photo: brad rempel/Reuters Rogers says this can be applied to fantasy football. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Why You Should Ignore Your Friends’ Fantasy Football Advice," 20 Aug. 2018 Each battery charge will drive 1,220 brad nails on a single charge. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: A DeWalt Drill Set Going for Cheap," 17 Apr. 2018

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

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First Known Use of brad

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1734, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for brad

Noun

Middle English, from Old Norse broddr spike; perhaps akin to Old English byrst bristle — more at bristle

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Time Traveler for brad

Time Traveler

The first known use of brad was in the 13th century

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Statistics for brad

Last Updated

5 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Brad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brad. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for brad

brad

noun
\ ˈbrad How to pronounce brad (audio) \

Kids Definition of brad

: a thin nail with a small usually indented head

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More from Merriam-Webster on brad

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with brad

Spanish Central: Translation of brad

Nglish: Translation of brad for Spanish Speakers

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