braid

Everyday

1. A braid is hair that has been divided into three or more pieces and twisted over each other into one long rope shape; in the UK this is more often called a plait. tree →
2. To braid is to make hair, rope, string or bread into that shape. tree →
3. Braid is a decorative band of woven thread used on uniforms and curtains. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday life: children braid hair, friendship bracelets and bread (challah). In maths and art, braid patterns are repeating patterns. In history, gold braid on a uniform shows a high rank. US and Canada say «braid» most; UK, Ireland and Australia often say «plait».

Examples

• My sister has two long braids. tree →
• Can you braid my hair before school? tree →
• We braided three colours of thread into a bracelet. tree →
• The baker braided the dough into a loaf. tree →
• The captain's coat had gold braid on the sleeves. tree →
• Box braids take hours to do. tree →
• French braids start at the top of the head. tree →
• [407] The kosa or single braid in which Russian girls wear their hair. tree →

Note

Countable for hair (braids), uncountable for the trim (gold braid). Regular verb: braided. UK synonym: plait (pronounced «plat»).