brise-soleil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalFormal, Technical/Architectural
Quick answer
What does “brise-soleil” mean?
A permanent architectural sunshade.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A permanent architectural sunshade; a fixed horizontal or vertical projection (often made of louvres, concrete, or metal) on a building's exterior designed to block direct sunlight.
More broadly, any fixed external architectural element whose primary function is solar control and shading, contributing to passive cooling and glare reduction in a building.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties but is far more likely to be encountered in architectural discourse than in general English. No spelling or definition variation exists.
Connotations
Connotes modernist architecture (particularly associated with Le Corbusier), technical design, and climate-responsive building. It has a sophisticated, continental European feel.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Almost exclusively used in architectural, engineering, and high-end design publications or discussions in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “brise-soleil” in a Sentence
The [ARCHITECT] designed a [MATERIAL] brise-soleil for the [BUILDING].A brise-soleil [FUNCTION: shields/protects/shades] the [GLASS FACADE/windows] from [DIRECT SUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brise-soleil” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The brise-soleil system was integral to the design.
- A brise-soleil effect was achieved with deep recesses.
American English
- The brise-soleil design was specified in the contract.
- They studied brise-soleil principles in their studio.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in a property development proposal or a sustainability report for a commercial building.
Academic
Common in texts and discussions on architectural history, modernism, sustainable design, and building physics.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in architectural plans, engineering specifications, and architectural criticism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brise-soleil”
- Pronouncing it as /braɪz/ instead of /briːz/.
- Using it to refer to an awning, blind, or shutter (which are movable).
- Misspelling as 'brise soleil' (without the hyphen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Venetian blind is an interior, movable window covering. A brise-soleil is a fixed, permanent, exterior architectural element.
Yes, the standard plural is 'brise-soleils' in English, following the English convention of adding an 's' to a borrowed noun.
It is strongly associated with the Modernist movement, particularly the work of architects like Le Corbusier in the mid-20th century, and remains a feature in contemporary sustainable design.
It is not strictly necessary, as it is a fairly well-established loanword in architectural English. However, some style guides may recommend italics for less common foreign terms.
A permanent architectural sunshade.
Brise-soleil is usually formal, technical/architectural in register.
Brise-soleil: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbriːz ˈsɒleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbriːz soʊˈleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the French phrase 'break the sun' – a brise-soleil 'breaks' the sun's rays before they hit the building.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BUILDING IS A BODY; THE BRISE-SOLEIL IS A HAT OR SUNGLASSES (a protective layer against a climatic element).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a brise-soleil?