noun
Uncommon
brace
brays
Brace (noun) means a device or support that holds something firmly in place or steadies it. Example: “He wore a knee brace after the injury.”
noun
1
A device or support that holds something firmly in place or steadies it.
"He wore a knee brace after the injury."
"The wooden brace kept the shelf from sagging."
"The carpenter fitted a metal brace under the table to stop it wobbling."
2
A pair of something, especially game birds or similar items.
"The hunters returned with a brace of pheasants."
verb
1
To prepare oneself for something difficult or unpleasant, such as an impact or shock.
"Brace yourself — the news isn't good."
"Passengers were told to brace for a rough landing."
"Residents boarded up their windows to brace for the coming storm."
How to use brace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that supports or holds steady, a pair of something, or to prepare for impact.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
brace yourself
a brace of
knee brace
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Word forms
- Plural
- braces
- Third person singular
- braces
- Past tense
- braced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a knee _____ after the injury.
Etymology
From Old French "brace" ("arm"), from Latin "bracchia," the plural of "bracchium" ("arm").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brace
See all rhymes for brace →Frequently asked questions
What does “brace” mean?
The word “brace” means a device or support that holds something firmly in place or steadies it. In plain terms, something that supports or holds steady, a pair of something, or to prepare for impact.
How do you pronounce “brace”?
“Brace” is pronounced brays (/bɹeɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “brace” in a sentence?
Here is “brace” used in a sentence: “He wore a knee brace after the injury.”
What is another word for “brace”?
Words with a similar meaning to “brace” include twosome.
What part of speech is “brace”?
Depending on how it is used, “brace” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brace” come from?
The word “brace” comes from Latin. From Old French "brace" ("arm"), from Latin "bracchia," the plural of "bracchium" ("arm").
Is “brace” a common word?
“Brace” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brace” have?
“Brace” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device or support that holds something firmly in place or steadies it.
What is the difference between brace and braces?
"Brace" in the singular usually refers to a single support device, such as a knee brace, or is used as a verb meaning to prepare for something difficult. "Braces" more commonly refers to a set of dental devices used to straighten teeth, or a pair of supports used together.
What does it mean to "brace for impact"?
To brace for impact means to prepare oneself physically or mentally for a difficult or unpleasant event, such as a collision or shock, often by tensing the body or taking a protective position. This usage draws on the verb sense of brace, meaning to prepare oneself for something difficult.
Why is "brace" used to describe a pair of birds?
Brace is used as a hunting term to describe a pair of game birds or similar items taken together, a specialized use distinct from the more common meanings of brace as a support device or the verb meaning to prepare oneself.
