brace

Everyday

1. A metal or plastic device fixed to teeth to straighten them (braces). tree →
2. A support that holds a broken or weak body part, like a knee brace or neck brace. tree →
3. Braces (UK) are straps over the shoulders that hold up trousers; Americans call them suspenders. tree →
4. To get ready for something difficult or a hit, by making your body firm or your mind ready (brace yourself). tree →
5. To press or hold something firmly so it stays steady. tree →
6. A curly bracket { } used in maths and computing. tree →
7. A brace of: a pair (old-fashioned, used for birds). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life many children wear braces on their teeth for a while. In safety lessons, on a plane the «brace position» protects you in an emergency landing; injured joints may need a brace. In stories «brace yourself» warns that something big or bad is coming. In maths and coding, braces { } group things. Phrases: brace yourself, brace for, brace position, knee brace, have braces.

Examples

• Lily got braces to straighten her teeth. tree →
• Brace yourself — the roller coaster is about to drop! tree →
• The flight attendant showed us the brace position. tree →
• He wore a brace on his knee after the football injury. tree →
• Dad's trousers were held up by red braces. tree →
• She braced her feet against the wall and pulled the rope. tree →
• The town braced for the storm. tree →
• In maths, braces { } show a set of numbers. tree →

Note

Teeth: «braces» is usually plural even for one set (I have braces). UK braces = US suspenders; UK «suspenders» are something else, so this is a trap between countries. Bracing (adjective) also means fresh and cold: a bracing sea wind.