brad

1 of 2

noun

ˈbrad 

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

2 of 2

verb

bradded; bradding

transitive verb

: to fasten with brads

Examples of brad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Following the template, punch holes in the cardboard pieces and connect the face and cardboard pieces with brads. — Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023

Attach the wheel to the plate with a gold brad, and attach jute rope to the rim with hot-glue. — Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 11 Oct. 2022

Secure the plywood until the glue dries with a couple brad nails. — Shara McCuiston, Popular Mechanics, 10 July 2021

Create a symmetrical painting, draw mirror images with a sibling or parent or use brads to make something that moves like the arms of the Hammering Men. — Shannon Sutlief, Dallas News, 23 Apr. 2020

So unless your hall stand has been jostled and tipped a lot, which would probably happen during moves, the brads holding the backing in place aren’t likely to be under much pressure. — Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1734, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brad

• ad
• add
• bad
• cad
• clad
• dad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had
• lad

Kids Definition

brad

noun

ˈbrad

: a thin nail with a small cylindrical head