braille

noun

ˈbrāl 

variants or Braille

: a system of writing for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots

braille transitive verb

brailled; brailling

braillist

ˈbrā-list 

noun

Illustration of braille

• braille alphabet

Did you know?

In 1824, Louis Braille invented the system we call braille, a universal system of writing and printing for the blind. Characters embossed on paper are read by passing the fingers lightly over the manuscript. The system is based on a matrix of six raised dots arranged in two columns of three. The 63 combinations possible in this framework stand for letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and common words like and and the. A braille code for English was not adopted until 1932. Modifications also exist for other languages, for mathematical and technical material, and for musical notation. Braille may be handwritten—from right to left— using a stylus to press dots into a piece of paper between hinged metal plates When the sheet is turned over, the dots face up, and are read from left to right. Braille typewriters and electric embossing machines are also used.

Examples of braille in a Sentence

a book made available in braille

Recent Examples on the Web

If your child has vision or hearing loss, the Children’s Trust encourages you to use resources provided by the Miami-Dade Public Library System including free braille and audio books, and free videos of American Sign Language (ASL) retellings of children’s books by age. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

And Microsoft has added braille display support that lets users switch between Narrator and other screen readers. —PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024

The new titles are available for in-person browsing at seven branch locations, selected based on circulation and demand of braille titles. —The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024

The Indianapolis Public Library has expanded its offering of braille books. —The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Louis Braille

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

braille

noun

ˈbrā(ə)l 

often capitalized

: a system of writing for the blind in which letters are represented by raised dots

Etymology

named for Louis Braille who developed the system

Medical Definition

braille

noun

ˈbrā(ə)l 

often capitalized

: a system of writing for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots

braille transitive verb

brailled; brailling

Biographical Definition

Braille

biographical name

ˈbrāl 

ˈbrī

Louis 1809–1852 French blind teacher of the blind