Bracket Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of BRACKET

[count]

1

:

an object that is attached to a wall and used to support or hold up something (such as a shelf)

• The shelf is held up with two brackets.
• There are wall brackets in the garage for the rakes and shovels.

2

:

a category that includes a certain range of incomes, ages, etc.

• She is taller/shorter than average for her age bracket.
• He earned enough to put him in a higher tax bracket.
• She is now in a lower/higher income bracket than before.

3

a

:

either one of a pair of marks [ ] or 〈 〉 used to enclose words or mathematical symbols

— usually plural

• The title appears in/within brackets at the top of the page.

◊ The marks [ ] are also called square brackets and the marks 〈 〉 are also called angle brackets.

Britannica Dictionary definition of BRACKET

[+ object]

1

:

to place (words, symbols, etc.) within brackets

• She bracketed (off) portions of the text.
• bracketed information/text/material

2

:

to be located at each side of (something)

— usually used as (be) bracketed

• The front door is bracketed [=_flanked_] by tall bushes.

3

:

to put (two or more people or things) into the same category, group, etc.

• Should Haydn and Mozart be bracketed (together/with each other)? = Should Mozart be bracketed (together) with Haydn?