brassiere

noun

bras·​siere brə-ˈzir 

also ˌbra-sē-ˈer

plural brassieres

: an undergarment that covers and supports the breasts : bra

Examples of brassiere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or a big pile of unclaimed brassieres? —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2026

Heath sensors will also continue to show up in newer places like toilets, bath mats, and brassieres. —Boone Ashworth, Wired News, 5 Jan. 2026

The Devil’s Rope Museum, housed inside what was once a brassiere factory, holds miles of the prickly wire, plus a section devoted to Route 66. —Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026

But with each year, the festival began to feel looser, with kids hanging out and drinking, showing up for the party; at moments, women would be dancing barefoot in their brassieres. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French brassière bodice, from Old French braciere arm protector, from bras arm — more at bracelet

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

brassiere

noun

bras·​siere brə-ˈzi(ə)r 

also ˌbras-ē-ˈe(ə)r

: a woman's close-fitting undergarment to cover and support the breasts

Etymology

from obsolete French brassière "bodice," from early French braciere "arm protector," from bras "arm," from Latin bracchium (same meaning) — related to brace, bracelet