braid

UK: /ˈbreɪd/ US: /breɪd/ ,(brād)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

braid /breɪd/   v. [~ + object]

1. to weave together three or more strips or strands of (hair, etc.);
   plait:
   She braided her hair by herself.
2. to form by such weaving:
   They were able to braid a rope.

n. [countable]

3. Clothing a braided length or plait, esp. of hair:
   She had fastened her hair into a braid.
4. Clothing a ropelike band formed by plaiting strands of silk or other material, used as trimming.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

braid  (brād), v.t. 

1. to weave together strips or strands of;
   plait:
   to braid the hair.
2. to form by such weaving:
   to braid a rope.
3. Clothing to bind or confine (the hair) with a band, ribbon, etc.
4. Clothing to trim with braid, as a garment.

n. 

5. Clothing a braided length or plait, esp. of hair.
6. Clothing a hair style formed by interweaving three or more strands of hair.
7. Clothing, Textiles a narrow, ropelike band formed by plaiting or weaving together several strands of silk, cotton, or other material, used as trimming for garments, drapery, etc.
8. Clothing a band, ribbon, etc., for binding or confining the hair.

• bef. 950; Middle English braiden, breiden (verb, verbal), Old English bregdan to move quickly, move to and fro, weave; cognate with Old Norse bregtha, Dutch breien

braid′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

braid / breɪd/ verb (transitive)

1. to interweave several strands of (hair, thread, etc); plait
2. to decorate with an ornamental trim or border: to braid a skirt

noun

1. a length of hair, fabric, etc, that has been braided; plait
2. narrow ornamental tape of woven silk, wool, etc

Etymology: Old English bregdan to move suddenly, weave together; compare Old Norse bregtha, Old High German brettan to draw a sword

ˈbraider noun