Definition

1. Noun:
   • Either of two punctuation marks ([ or ]) used to enclose textual material: A "square bracket" is one of the two symbols, the opening bracket [ or the closing bracket ], used in writing and printing to set off specific text from the main body of text.

Usage

• Square brackets are primarily used to insert editorial comments, explanations, corrections, or clarifications into a quotation.
• They are used in technical writing, such as mathematics and computing, to denote arrays, intervals, or specific operations.
• They can also be used within parentheses to avoid nested parentheses.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The editor added a note in square brackets: "The witness stated [clears throat] before continuing."
  • In the citation, use square brackets to indicate the year of publication: Smith [2020].
  • The mathematical set is written as A = [1, 5].

Advanced Usage

• "To bracket something": To enclose a word or phrase within square brackets.
  • When quoting, you should bracket any added words for clarity.
• Nested Brackets: Using brackets within parentheses (or vice versa) for complex clarifications.
  • The study concluded (see data from the prior year [2022, p. 45]) that the trend was clear.

Variants and Related Words

• Bracket (noun/verb): A more general term for any of the marks , , , or used to enclose words or figures. Also means to place within such marks.
  • Please bracket the optional clause.
• Parenthesis (noun): Typically refers specifically to the curved brackets .

Synonyms

• Bracket: (in the general sense of enclosing punctuation).
• Box bracket: (an alternative, less common name).

Related Phrases

• In brackets: Enclosed by square brackets.
  • The translator's note was in brackets.
• Use of square brackets: The application or convention of employing these punctuation marks.
  • The use of square brackets is standard in linguistic transcriptions.

Noun

1. either of two punctuation marks ([ or ]) used to enclose textual material