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

Livia surprised her 15-year-old son, Shay, who is visually impaired, with a touching gesture — a custom manicure that incorporated braille. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025

How envious this made me, his mastery of a tactile language born of sheer stuff, a kind of chemical-industrial braille. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

All public spaces and rooms offer braille and tactile signage, and common areas accommodate wheelchair accessibility. —Sierra Redmond, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

Benefits information should be clear, concise, and accessible in multiple formats, including braille, large print, and audio. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 30 Nov. 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