braid

1 of 2

verb

braided; braiding; braids

transitive verb

1
a
: to make from braids
braid a rug
b
: to form (three or more strands) into a braid
2
: to do up (the hair) by interweaving three or more strands
3
: mix, intermingle
braid fact with fiction
4
: to ornament especially with ribbon or braid
braider noun

braid

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a length of braided hair
b
: a cord or ribbon having usually three or more component strands forming a regular diagonal pattern down its length
especially : a narrow fabric of intertwined threads used especially for trimming
2
: high-ranking naval officers

Examples of braid in a Sentence

Verb She braids her hair every morning. they taught each other how to braid yarn into bracelets Noun a hat trimmed with braid until she was 15, she had a braid that reached to her knees
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Make this fun fall porch ornament by braiding yarn to make thicker strands. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025 In her stunning debut, The Waterbearers, Sasha braids the stories of three generations of Black single mothers—her grandmother, her mother, and herself—with portraits of leading Black women figures in American culture. G'ra Asim september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
But what really completes the start-of-fall feel is that low fishtail braid. Marci Robin, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025 Each cover is 100% handmade from sustainable seaweed and a corn husk braid, so they’re guaranteed to last the test of time. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for braid

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English breyden to move suddenly, snatch, plait, from Old English bregdan; akin to Old High German brettan to draw (a sword)

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of braid was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Braid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/braid. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

braid

1 of 2 verb
1
: to form strands into a braid
2
: to ornament especially with ribbon or braid
braider noun

braid

2 of 2 noun
: a length of cord, ribbon, or hair formed of three or more strands woven together

More from Merriam-Webster on braid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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