braid

1 of 3

verb

ˈbrād 

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 3

noun (1)

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

braider

3 of 3

noun (2)

braid·​er

ˈbrā-dər

plural -s

: one that braids

specifically : a sewing machine attachment for stitching braid in place

Synonyms of braid

Verb

• plait
• weave
• plat

Noun (1)

• lace
• plait
• stripe
• braiding
• lacing

Examples of braid in a Sentence

Verb

She braids her hair every morning.

they taught each other how to braid yarn into bracelets

Noun (1)

a hat trimmed with braid

until she was 15, she had a braid that reached to her knees

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ogunbiyi saw similarities between the process of braiding and sewing—a meticulous and repetitive action that could be automated—and began to envision a solution. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 23 June 2026

To have those two things braided together, the pain and then the relief. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026

Noun

Her golden locks were styled into a dramatic interplay of braids and twists, pinned low on one side to make room for her fascinator. — Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 20 June 2026

Mateo Kirkpatrick, a hairstylist in Dallas who specializes in textured hair, says many of his clients want to wear their beloved braids all summer but are more aware of keeping their scalps healthy. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 18 June 2026

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 (1)

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing braid

• box braid
• french braid

Rhymes for braid

• aid
• aide
• bade
• blade
• clade
• dade
• fade
• flayed
• fraid
• frayed
• gade
• glade

Kids Definition

braid

1 of 2 verb

ˈbrād 

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