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 The artists decided to collaborate, a development Glover had not expected from the Smallbone brothers. Tom Roland, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024 There are no words to describe the loss of a beloved brother and family member, especially in such a terrible tragedy. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Perhaps no character better embodied Walsh’s talents than Loren Visser, the unscrupulous private detective in Blood Simple (1984), the Coen brothers’ feature debut. Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 His younger brother and the 27-year-old driver of the Nissan were injured. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Thank you, Ron and John ... for being my brothers and doing the extraordinary despite your own grief. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 He cannot be tamed and leaves his brother’s widow and his home behind. Sara C. Hahn, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 The pairing of Strong opposite Michael Imperioli, making his Broadway debut as Peter, Thomas’s brother and the mayor who leads the charge against him, lends the revival a certain cable-drama prestige. Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 That same night Starr also met Turner’s brother, Richard, a talented bassist who, alongside Brit, were highly regarded in the Atlanta metal and hard rock scene for their band Nihilist. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brother.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near brother

Cite this Entry

“Brother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brother. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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