braiding

braiding — noun

1. the act of making a plait by crossing several strands of hair, cord, or ribbon o

1.nounB1
Definition

the act of making a plait by crossing several strands of hair, cord, or ribbon over one another in turn

Example

Ritu learned braiding from her aunt before the wedding season began.

learn braiding as a practical skill

The camp taught simple braiding with rope before the children built a swing.

braiding with rope in a craft task

Common collocations
  • hair braiding
  • rope braiding
  • braiding class
  • braiding technique
Synonyms
  • plaiting

    the closest match, especially in British English and hair contexts

  • weaving

    broader and often used for cloth made by crossing many threads

Grammar Patterns

learn/do braiding

braiding class/technique

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when it names the skill or activity. In salon and craft contexts, it often appears before another noun, as in 'braiding class' or 'braiding technique'.

Common Mistakes

She learned braid from her aunt.
She learned braiding from her aunt.
when you name the skill itself, English normally uses the -ing form.

2. a completed plait of hair, or a similar narrow section that has already been wor

2.nounB1
Definition

a completed plait of hair, or a similar narrow section that has already been worked into that pattern

Example

A few strands slipped out of the braiding over Maeve's left ear.

the braiding over + body part

The stylist checked the braiding near the crown before the photo shoot.

checked the braiding before styling

Common collocations
  • loose braiding
  • neat braiding
  • braiding over the ear
  • braiding at the back
Synonyms
  • plait

    common everyday word for a section of hair crossed into a braid

  • tress

    more literary and usually used only for hair

Grammar Patterns

the braiding over/at + body part

braiding in + hairpiece/wig

Usage Note

Most often refers to the finished plait itself, especially in hair styling. Distinguish it from sense 1, which names the process, and sense 3, which refers to sewn decorative trim.

Common Mistakes

Her braiding were loose after practice.
Her braiding was loose after practice.
when it refers to one finished plaited section, braiding is usually treated as singular.

3. narrow woven trim sewn onto clothing, uniforms, curtains, or similar fabric item

3.nounB2
Definition

narrow woven trim sewn onto clothing, uniforms, curtains, or similar fabric items to decorate an edge or seam

Example

Gold braiding ran along the cuffs of the band leader's jacket.

braiding along the cuff of clothing

The tailor replaced the worn braiding on the edge of the curtain.

Common collocations
  • gold braiding
  • navy braiding
  • braiding on a curtain
  • braiding along the cuff
Synonyms
  • trim

    the broad everyday word for decorative material added to fabric

  • edging

    focuses more tightly on material attached right at the border

Grammar Patterns

braiding on/along + edge

gold/navy braiding

Usage Note

Usually refers to narrow trim fixed to an edge, collar, cuff, or seam. It is common in descriptions of uniforms, curtains, stage costumes, and similar fabric items.

Common Mistakes

The jacket had braiding all over it.
The jacket had gold braiding along the cuffs.
this sense usually describes trim fixed to an edge, not decoration spread across the whole surface.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Braiding is the regular crossing of three or more strands to form one patterned length. Plaiting is the closest synonym and is especially common in British English and in hair contexts. Weaving is broader and usually means crossing two sets of threads to make cloth, not one narrow strand. Twisting can involve only two strands and does not require the repeated over-and-under pattern of a braid. Knotting focuses on tying sections together rather than keeping a steady plait. You can talk about hair braiding, rope braiding, or decorative braiding on a uniform. For example, a stylist may do braiding before a dance show, while a tailor may sew gold braiding onto a jacket sleeve.

braiding ↗plaitingweaving ↗twisting ↗knotting ↗

Etymology

Middle EnglishOld EnglishGermanicEnglish

Braiding is formed from braid and the suffix -ing. The base word braid comes through Middle English from an older Germanic verb meaning to pull, twist, or plait strands together. In modern English, braiding can name both the activity of making a plait and a finished or decorative result made with that pattern.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above