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angle bracket

/ˌæŋgəl ˈbrækət/
IPA guide

Other forms: angle brackets

An angle bracket is one of two < > punctuation marks mainly used in computer programming to enclose code. They're also used in math to mean "greater than," as in 10 > 4 or "less than," as in 4 < 10.

In writing, and especially coding, angle brackets are a variation on regular square brackets or parentheses — their purpose is to set aside text. Here's a coding example: in order for you to see angle brackets in italics, we have used < i > before the term and < / i > after it (without spaces). Another kind of angle bracket is an L-shaped piece of metal used to hold a shelf or fasten two pieces of wood together in a construction project. The name comes from their ability to attach things at a 90-degree angle.

Definitions of angle bracket
  1. noun
    an L-shaped metal bracket
    synonyms: angle iron
    see moresee less
    type of:
    bracket, wall bracket
    a support projecting from a wall (as to hold a shelf)
  2. noun
    either of two punctuation marks ('<' or '>') used in computer programming and sometimes used to enclose textual material
    synonyms: bracket
    see moresee less
    type of:
    punctuation, punctuation mark
    the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases
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