: to give life or energy to : freshen. : to place firmly. : something that connects, fastens, or tightens. : a tool with a U-shaped bend that is used to turn wood-boring bits.

brace verb [T] (PREPARE) brace yourself to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant:

To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger: Union members braced themselves for a confrontation with management.

A brace is a metal device that can be fastened to a child's teeth in order to help them grow straight.

There are 34 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun brace, 11 of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Feb 3, 2026 · (plural brace) A pair, a couple; originally used of dogs, and later of animals generally (e.g., a brace of conies) and then other things, but rarely human persons.

Definition of brace noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

A brace is a support that helps to steady or strengthen, and to brace is to prepare for something hard. So brace yourself for that impromptu meeting with your boss if you haven't been performing well.

BRACE definition: something that holds parts together or in place, as a clasp or clamp. See examples of brace used in a sentence.

BRACE meaning: 1 : to get ready for something difficult or unpleasant (chiefly US) usually + for usually + for; 2 : to give added physical support or strength to (something)