braille

noun

variants or Braille
: a system of writing for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots
braille transitive verb
brailled; brailling
braillist noun

Illustration of braille

Illustration of braille
  • braille alphabet

Did you know?

In 1824, Louis Braille invented the system we call braille, a universal system of writing and printing for the blind. Characters embossed on paper are read by passing the fingers lightly over the manuscript. The system is based on a matrix of six raised dots arranged in two columns of three. The 63 combinations possible in this framework stand for letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and common words like and and the. A braille code for English was not adopted until 1932. Modifications also exist for other languages, for mathematical and technical material, and for musical notation. Braille may be handwritten—from right to left— using a stylus to press dots into a piece of paper between hinged metal plates When the sheet is turned over, the dots face up, and are read from left to right. Braille typewriters and electric embossing machines are also used.

Examples of braille in a Sentence

a book made available in braille
Recent Examples on the Web Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible rooms with roll-in showers, accessible transportation options, and braille signs. Laura Studarus, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2024 Accessibility and Sustainability There are no ADA-compliant rooms on-site, but Hotel Herringbone has accessible parking, an elevator that leads to all the floors (including the rooftop), low bathroom sinks, raised toilets with grab rails, and braille visual aids. Alex Temblador, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2024 Public transportation systems often feature priority seating, braille signs and audible announcements to cater to people with different needs. Tina Gada, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 From three different guestroom categories that offer accommodating functionality to valet or accessible self-parking to wheelchair ramps to an elevator with braille, this hotel has thought of everything. Wendy Altschuler, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for braille 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'braille.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Louis Braille

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of braille was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near braille

Cite this Entry

“Braille.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/braille. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

braille

noun
often capitalized
: a system of writing for the blind in which letters are represented by raised dots
Etymology

named for Louis Braille who developed the system

Medical Definition

braille

noun
often capitalized
: a system of writing for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots
braille transitive verb
brailled; brailling

Biographical Definition

Braille

biographical name

ˈbrāl How to pronounce Braille (audio)
ˈbrī
Louis 1809–1852 French blind teacher of the blind

More from Merriam-Webster on braille

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