braided; braiding; braids
Synonyms of braidnext

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
The book braids three distinct narratives of three generations of women living in Barcelona, all named Ramona, from the late nineteenth century, through the Spanish Civil War, and into the politically tumultuous 1960s. Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Rinsing helps strip away the alkaline preservative film that often coats synthetic braiding hair. Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
The former first lady wore her braids pulled into a high ponytail, with several pieces framing her face. Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Most of the brand’s launch campaigns have featured a range of straight, wavy, curly, and coily types; in 2024, its AirWash Dry Shampoo launch campaign included a model with braids. Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026 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 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
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