A plaited hair is a hairstyle formed by interlacing three or more strands of hair together to form a pattern). The term "plait" is commonly used in the United Kingdom, while "braid" is more commonly used in the United States, but they both refer to the same hairstyle. Plaiting or braiding hair has been used to style and ornament human and animal hair for thousands of years). There are many different types of braided hairstyles, including French braids, cornrows, and box braids, and they may also be used in combination with or as an alternative to simpler bindings, such as ponytails or pigtails). Plaited hairstyles may also be used to add ornamentation, such as beads or hair extensions, as in crochet braiding).