[go: up one dir, main page]

brother

noun

broth·​er ˈbrə-t͟hər How to pronounce brother (audio)
plural brothers also brethren ˈbret͟h-rən How to pronounce brother (audio)
ˈbre-t͟hə-rən,
-t͟hərn
1
: a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another
2
: one related to another by common ties or interests
3
: a fellow member
used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations
4
: one of a type similar to another
5
a
b
: one who shares with another a common national or racial origin
especially : a Black boy or man : soul brother
6
a
capitalized : a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usually in hospital or school work
b
: a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or is not ready for holy orders
a lay brother

Examples of brother in a Sentence

We must support our brothers and sisters fighting overseas. the brothers in a monastery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Admittedly, Al wasn't a huge fan of Patrick's little brother tagging along on their outing and began referring to him as his Little House on the Prairie character, Albert, to poke little jabs. Esther Kang, People.com, 21 May 2025 Hayley Duff, Tyler Hoechlin, Ashlee Simpson, and brothers George and Geoff Stults all had recurring roles. EW.com, 21 May 2025 Using empty chairs as stand-ins, Bono unwraps his U2 mates Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton and his brother in all but name, the Edge. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 20 May 2025 The other characters in the Predator: Killer of Killers trailer that dropped Tuesday include a ninja in feudal Japan who turns against his Samurai brother in a brutal battle for succession, and a Second World War pilot who goes airborne to investigate an otherworldly threat to the Allied cause. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for brother

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English brōthor; akin to Old High German bruodor brother, Latin frater, Greek phratēr member of the same clan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brother was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brother. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

brother

noun
broth·​er ˈbrət͟h-ər How to pronounce brother (audio)
plural brothers also brethren ˈbret͟h- (ə-)rən How to pronounce brother (audio)
ˈbret͟h-ərn
1
: a male who has one or both parents in common with another
2
: a male relative
3
: a fellow member of a group

More from Merriam-Webster on brother

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!