braid

/breɪd/

/breɪd/

Other forms: braided; braids; braiding

To braid is to lace or weave together. Hair that has been done this way is in braids.

Have you ever seen someone with their hair bound together in thick, rope-like arrangements? That hairdo is called braids. Women often braid each other's hair or get it braided by a hairdresser. The longer your hair, the longer your potential braids. To braid hair, you have to weave the strands of hair together: this is also called plaiting, lacing, and interlacing. Other materials can be braided, but the most popular thing to braid is definitely hair.

Definitions of braid

1. verb

   make by braiding or interlacing
   synonyms: lace, plait

   type of:

   tissue, weave

   create a piece of cloth by interlacing strands of fabric, such as wool or cotton
2. verb

   form or weave into a braid or braids
   “braid hair”

   synonyms: pleach

   antonyms:

   unbraid

   undo the braids of

   type of:

   interweave, weave

   interlace by or as if by weaving
3. verb

   decorate with braids or ribbons
   “braid a collar”

   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.
4. noun

   a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
   synonyms: plait, tress, twist

   types:

   queue

   a braid of hair at the back of the head

   pigtail

   a plait of braided hair

   type of:

   coif, coiffure, hair style, hairdo, hairstyle

   the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)
5. noun

   trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains
   synonyms: braiding, gold braid

   types:

   aglet, aiglet, aiguillette

   ornamental tagged cord or braid on the shoulder of a uniform

   soutache

   a narrow braid used as a decorative trimming

   type of:

   passementerie, trim, trimming

   a decoration or adornment on a garment