braces Meaning & Definition
What Does Braces Mean?
Braces is used as a noun meaning something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure. It can also mean a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (such as a framework). As a verb, it means prepare, steel.
Braces in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbrās/ |
| Synonyms | brace, buttresses and mountings |
| Antonyms | dampens, damps and deadens |
| Plural | only |
Braces Definition (Noun)
- something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure: such as
- a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (such as a framework)
walls held up with braces
- an appliance for supporting a body part
has braces on his legs / a neck brace
- an orthodontic appliance usually of metallic wire that is used especially to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth
had braces as a teenager
- suspenders
- a rope rove through a block at the end of a ship's yard see yard:4 to swing it horizontally
- one of two marks used to connect words or items to be considered together
- one of these marks connecting two or more musical staffs see staff:1 carrying parts to be performed simultaneously
- bracket
numbers written in braces
- two of a kind : pair
several brace of quail
- something (such as a clasp) that connects or fastens
- a crank-shaped instrument for turning a bit see bit:1
- a position of rigid attention
On review, his uniform and brace were technically correct …
- something that arouses energy or strengthens morale
Braces as a Verb
- prepare, steel
brace yourself for the shock
- invigorate, freshen
… I took the shower and it braced me up a bit.
- to prepare for use by making taut
brace a drum
- to furnish or support with a brace see brace:2
heavily braced against the wind
- to make stronger : reinforce
… nerves … braced by long familiarity with danger …
- to put or plant firmly
braces his foot in the stirrup
- to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace see brace:2
- to waylay especially with demands or questions : confront
When braced, Willie had naturally denied his identity.
- to fasten tightly : bind
- to get ready (as for an attack)
brace for the storm
- to take heart
Synonyms of Braces
Antonyms of Braces
Braces in a Sentence
Susy has to go to the dentist to see if she needs braces.
We put that villain in braces.
All hands, brace for impact!
He braced himself against the crowd.
to brace the yards
to brace a beam in a building
to brace the nerves
walls held up with braces
has braces on his legs
a neck brace
had braces as a teenager
numbers written in braces
several brace of quail
On review, his uniform and brace were technically correct …
brace yourself for the shock
… I took the shower and it braced me up a bit.
brace a drum
heavily braced against the wind
… nerves … braced by long familiarity with danger …
braces his foot in the stirrup
When braced, Willie had naturally denied his identity.
brace for the storm
wore a brace for the injured knee
bagged a brace of pheasants
the pep talk braced the team up for the second half
several boards braced the wall
she braced herself for the job interview
has braces on his legs / a neck brace
Word Forms & Grammar
brac·es
brace
braces
braced
brac·ing
bracing
braces pl (plural only)
Words That Rhyme With Braces
Origin of Braces
Origin 1: Middle English, clasp, pair, from Anglo-French, pair of arms, pair, support, from Latin bracchia, plural of bracchium arm, from Greek brachiōn, from comparative of brachys short brief
Origin 2: Middle English, from Anglo-French bracer to embrace, from brace
First Known Use
15th century
14th centuryt
Quick Answers About Braces
Is braces a noun or a verb?
Braces is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for braces?
You can replace braces with words such as brace, buttresses and mountings. See the full list of braces synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of braces?
The plural of braces is only.