1 C1 formal
(Nautical) To haul the yards inward toward the ship's centerline to adjust the angle of the sails.
"He shouted to the crew to brace in the main yard as the wind shifted slightly."
brace in
C1 formal transitive
A nautical term: to swing the yards of a square-rigged ship inward (toward the center line) to catch more wind on a particular point of sail.
In plain English
In sailing, to swing the large poles holding the sails inward toward the center of the ship.
What does "brace in" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To brace (angle or hold firmly) the yards so they swing inward toward the ship's centerline.
Actually means
In sailing, to swing the large poles holding the sails inward toward the center of the ship.
Usage tip
Specialized nautical command. Only encountered in maritime literature or historical texts about square-rigged ships. Not used in modern everyday language.
Words that pair with "brace in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
yards center wind sails ship
How to conjugate "brace in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
brace in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
braces in
he/she/it
Past simple
braced in
yesterday
Past participle
braced in
have + pp
-ing form
bracing in
continuous
Hear "brace in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "brace in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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