Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense braces, present participle bracing, past tense, past participle bracedlanguage note: The plural form for meaning [sense 5] is brace.
1. verb
If you braceyourself for something unpleasant or difficult, you prepare yourself for it.
He braced himself for the icy plunge into the black water. [V pron-refl + for]
She braced herself, as if to meet a blow. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
2. verb
If you braceyourselfagainst something or brace part of your body against it, you press against something in order to steady your body or to avoid falling.
Elaine braced herself against the dresser and looked in the mirror. [V pron-refl + against]
He braced his back against the wall. [VERB noun + against]
Synonyms: steady, support, balance, secure More Synonyms of brace
3. verb
If you brace your shoulders or knees, you keep them stiffly in a particular position.
He braced his shoulders as the snow slashed across his face. [VERB noun]
4. verb
To brace something means to strengthen or support it with something else.
Overhead, the lights showed the old timbers, used to brace the roof. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: support, strengthen, steady, prop More Synonyms of brace
5. countable noun
You can refer to two things of the same kind as a braceof that thing. The plural form is also brace.
...a brace of bottles of Mercier Rose champagne. [+ of]
...a few brace of grouse. [+ of]
Synonyms: pair, couple, twosome More Synonyms of brace
6. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A brace is a device attached to a part of a person's body, for example to a weak leg, in order to strengthen or support it.
He wore leg braces after polio in childhood.
She wears a neck brace.
Synonyms: support, stay, prop, bracer More Synonyms of brace
7. countable noun
A brace is a metal device that can be fastened to a child's teeth in order to help them grow straight.
8. plural noun
Braces are a pair of straps that pass over your shoulders and fasten to your trousers at the front and back in order to stop them from falling down.
[British]regional note: in AM, use suspenders
9. countable noun
Braces or curly braces are a pair of written marks that you place around words, numbers, or parts of a computercode, for example to indicate that they are connected in some way or are separate fromother parts of the writing or code.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, usually use curly brackets
English Easy Learning GrammarBrackets ( )Brackets (also called parentheses) are used to enclose a word or words which can beleft out and still leave a meaningful sentence. The wooded area (see ... Read more
brace in British English
(breɪs)
noun
1.
a hand tool for drilling holes, with a socket to hold the drill at one end and a cranked handle by which the tool can be turned
In full: hand brace. See also brace and bit
2.
something that steadies, binds, or holds up another thing
3.
a structural member, such as a beam or prop, used to stiffen a framework
4.
a sliding loop, usually of leather, attached to the cords of a drum: used to change its tension
5.
a pair; two, esp of game birds
a brace of partridges
6.
either of a pair of characters, { }, used for connecting lines of printing or writing or as a third sign of aggregation in complex mathematical or logical expressions that already contain parentheses and square brackets
7. Also called: accolade
a line or bracket connecting two or more staves of music
8. (often plural)
an appliance of metal bands and wires that can be tightened to maintain steady pressure on the teeth for correcting uneven alignment
9. medicine
any of various appliances for supporting the trunk, a limb, or teeth
10. another word for bracer2
11.
(in square-rigged sailing ships) a rope that controls the movement of a yard and thus the position of a sail
12. braces
verb(mainly tr)
13.
to provide, strengthen, or fit with a brace
14.
to steady or prepare (oneself or something) as before an impact
15. (also intr)
to stimulate; freshen; invigorate
sea air is bracing
16.
to control the horizontal movement of (the yards of a square-rigged sailing ship)
Word origin
C14: from Old French: the two arms, from Latin bracchia arms
brace in American English1
(breɪs)
verb transitiveWord forms: braced or ˈbracing
1.
to tie or bind on firmly
2.
to tighten, esp. by stretching
3.
to strengthen or make firm by supporting the weight of, resisting the pressure of, etc.; prop up
4.
to equip or support with braces
5.
to make ready for an impact, shock, etc.
often used reflexively
6.
to give vigor or energy to; stimulate; invigorate
7.
to get a firm hold with (the hands or feet)
8. US, Slang
to ask a loan or handout from
noun
9.
two of a kind; a couple; pair, as of hounds, game animals, or pistols
10.
a device that clasps or connects to keep something firmly in place; fastener
11. [pl.]; British
suspenders
12.
a device for setting up or maintaining tension, as a guy wire
13.
a.
either of the signs { }, used to connect or enclose words or items to be consideredtogether
b.
such a sign used to connect two or more staves of a musical score
c.
the set of staves so connected
14.
a device, as a beam, used as a support, to resist strain or pressure, etc.; prop
15.
a.
any of various devices for supporting a weak or malformed part of the body: oftenintended for permanent use in contrast to a splint or cast
b. [often pl.]
a device attached to the teeth in order to move them gradually into better occlusion
16.
a tool for holding and rotating a drilling bit
17. US, Informal
a rigid position of exaggerated attention
SIMILAR WORDS: pair
Idioms:
brace up
Word origin
ME bracen < OFr bracer, to brace, embrace < L brachia, pl. of brachium, an arm < Gr brachiōn, arm, upper arm < brachys, short (in contrast to the longer lower arm): see merry
brace in American English2
(breɪs)
noun
1. Nautical
a rope passed through a block at the end of a yard, used to swing the yard about from the deck
verb transitiveWord forms: braced or ˈbracing
2. Nautical
to move (a yard) by means of a brace
Word origin
Fr bras (de vergue), brace (of a yard) < L brachium: see brace1
Examples of 'brace' in a sentence
brace
Play was stopped for almost eight minutes as he was put into a neck brace and carried off.
The Sun (2016)
But he is now facing a longer period of rehabilitation after the brace was fitted to stabilise the joint.
The Sun (2016)
I was given a neck brace and painkillers and discharged.
The Sun (2016)
He was determined to continue reporting, although his producers insisted that his neck brace should not be seen on screen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A leg brace was fitted last week to stabilise the problem but he has impressed medics so much it has now been removed.
The Sun (2016)
She smiles again as she braces her tiny body for the rigours of a new day.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She must wear a brace bolted to her skull for months.
The Sun (2006)
They tied a brace around his neck and slid a stretcher beneath him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
My first lunch after having the brace fitted was a rocket salad.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She wears leg braces and uses wheelchairs and crutches.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He still has to wear a metal head brace.
The Sun (2007)
The man in the brace position struggled back into an upright posture.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But this is not bracing winter weather either.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Return from bracing walks to candlelit dinners and log fires.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are also braced for at least two more years of austerity.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Intelligence agencies are braced for another display of political muscle.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Each pilot braced himself to face a day which might bring death or horrible injury.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
We must brace ourselves to bear a bit more reality.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Rome braced itself for air raids.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
In need of something more bracing?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I had a car accident two years ago and wear a back brace.
The Sun (2014)
Foster is already bracing himself for the stick coming his way when he joins up with the England squad tomorrow.
The Sun (2007)
He was rescued and taken to hospital in Moscow, where he was put in a body brace before flying home.
The Sun (2009)
The Mali striker grabbed a firsthalf brace to help the league leaders establish a club record NINE wins on the trot.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
brace
British English: brace /breɪs/ NOUN
on leg A brace is a device attached to a person's leg to strengthen or support it.
They make wheelchairs and leg braces for children.
American English: brace
Arabic: دِعَامَة
Brazilian Portuguese: braçadeira
Chinese: 支架
Croatian: proteza
Czech: ortéza
Danish: bøjle tandbøjle
Dutch: beugel voor tanden
European Spanish: aparato ortopédico
Finnish: tuki fyysinen
French: attelle
German: Klammer
Greek: επιγονατίδα
Italian: apparecchio ortopedico
Japanese: 突っ張り
Korean: 버팀대
Norwegian: støtte
Polish: klamra
European Portuguese: braçadeira
Romanian: proteză
Russian: ортез
Latin American Spanish: abrazadera
Swedish: spänne
Thai: ที่รั้ง
Turkish: destek bağ, kuşak vb
Ukrainian: скоба
Vietnamese: vật đỡ
British English: brace VERB
If you brace yourself for something unpleasant or difficult, you prepare yourself for it.
He braced himself for the icy plunge into the black water.
American English: brace
Brazilian Portuguese: preparar
Chinese: 准备 >面对不愉快或困难之事
European Spanish: prepararse
French: préparer
German: sich bereit machen
Italian: preparare
Japanese: >備える困難や不快な事に
Korean: 마음의 준비를 하다
European Portuguese: preparar
Latin American Spanish: prepararse
British English: brace NOUN
on teeth A brace is a metal device that can be fastened to a child's teeth in order to help them grow straight.
American English: brace
Brazilian Portuguese: aparelho
Chinese: 牙套 >面对不愉快或困难之事
European Spanish: brackets
French: appareil (dentaire)
German: Zahnklammer
Italian: apparecchioortodontico
Japanese: 歯列矯正器
Korean: 치열 교정기
European Portuguese: aparelho dentário
Latin American Spanish: aparato
British English: brace NOUN
bracketsBraces are a pair of written marks {} that you place around words, numbers, or parts of a computer code.
American English: brace
Brazilian Portuguese: chave
Chinese: 大括弧
European Spanish: corchete
French: accolade
German: geschweifte Klammer
Italian: parentesi graffa
Japanese: 中括弧
Korean: 중괄호의 한 쪽
European Portuguese: chavetas
Latin American Spanish: corchete
All related terms of 'brace'
brace up
to call forth one's courage , resolution , etc., as after defeat or disappointment
re-brace
to steady or strengthen (something) again
hand brace
a hand tool for drilling holes, with a socket to hold the drill at one end and a cranked handle by which the tool can be turned
wheel brace
a tool used to loosen or tighten the nuts holding a vehicle's wheel in place
brace bracket
a hand tool for drilling holes, with a socket to hold the drill at one end and a cranked handle by which the tool can be turned
thorough brace
either of a pair of leather straps supporting the body of a coach or other horse-drawn vehicle and often serving as springs
bib and brace
a work garment consisting of trousers and an upper front part supported by straps over the shoulders
brace and bit
a hand tool for boring holes, consisting of a cranked handle into which a drilling bit is inserted
Chinese translation of 'brace'
brace
(breɪs)
n(c)
(on teeth) 牙箍 (yágū) (个(個), gè)
(on leg, neck) 支架 (zhījià) (个(個), gè)
vt
[knees, shoulders]绷(繃)紧(緊) (bēngjǐn)
to brace oneself (in order to steady oneself) 使自己紧(緊)靠 (shǐ zìjǐ jǐn kào) (fig, for shock) 稳(穩)定情绪(緒) (wěndìng qíngxù)
Derived Forms
bracesn pl
(Brit) 背带(帶) (bēidài)
美 = suspenders
(US, Typ) (also curly braces)
大括弧 (dà kuòhú)
英 = curly brackets
1 (verb)
Definition
to steady or prepare (oneself) before an impact
He braced his back against the wall.
Synonyms
steady
He eased back the throttles to steady the ship.
support
balance
He balanced a football on his head.
secure
stabilize
Officials hope the move will stabilize exchange rates.
2 (verb)
Definition
to provide, strengthen, or fit with a brace
The lights showed the old timbers, used to brace the roof.
Synonyms
support
the thick wooden posts that supported the ceiling
strengthen
The builders will have to strengthen the existing joists with additional timber.
steady
prop
Plaster ceilings are propped with scaffolding.
reinforce
They had to reinforce the walls with exterior beams.
hold up
tighten
shove
bolster
a number of measures intended to bolster morale
fortify
British soldiers working to fortify an airbase
buttress
His tough line is buttressed by a democratic mandate.
shove up
1 (noun)
Definition
a pair, esp. of game birds
a brace of grouse
Synonyms
pair
A pair of teenage boys were arrested.
couple
There are a couple of police officers standing guard.
twosome
2 (noun)
Definition
something that steadies, binds, or holds up another thing
She wears a neck brace.
Synonyms
support
Rats had been gnawing at the supports of the house.
stay
prop
The timber is reinforced with three steel props on a concrete foundation.