1
: short in duration, extent, or length
a brief meeting
briefness
noun
1
a
: an official letter or mandate (see mandate entry 1 sense 1)
b
: a specific instruction or responsibility
his brief was to strengthen the army
2
3
: an outline of an argument
especially, law
: a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence
a legal brief
filed a brief
4
briefed; briefing; briefs
1
: to make an abstract or abridgment of
brief a report
summarized northeastern Siberian archaeology and has briefed many normally unavailable sources—
Wendell Oswalt
Wendell Oswalt2
a
: to give final precise instructions to
were briefed before their mission
b
: to coach thoroughly in advance
c
: to give essential information to
The president is being briefed by his advisors.
3
: to discuss (something, such as a military operation) in a briefing
briefed the mission
briefer
noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- aphoristic
- apothegmatic
- capsule
- compact
- compendious
- concise
- crisp
- curt
- elliptical
- elliptic
- epigrammatic
- laconic
- monosyllabic
- pithy
- sententious
- succinct
- summary
- telegraphic
- terse
- thumbnail
Noun
- abstract
- breviary
- capsule
- conspectus
- digest
- encapsulation
- epitome
- inventory
- outline
- précis
- recap
- recapitulation
- résumé
- resume
- resumé
- roundup
- run-through
- rundown
- sum
- sum-up
- summa
- summarization
- summary
- summing-up
- synopsis
- wrap-up
Verb
Examples of brief in a Sentence
Adjective
The meeting will be brief.
The essay is brief but thorough enough.
a few brief words of caution
Noun
Her brief is to manage the company's sales department.
a one-page brief of the intelligence report
Verb
The captain briefed the crew on the new safety procedures.
The President has been briefed by his advisers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Tennessee’s brief, meanwhile, presents a much more conspiratorial picture.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Nov. 2024
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
The Activation stage comprises the registration process, the Lean Canvas stage is the brainstorming period, the Innovation stage is where participants write an innovation brief, record an innovation video and create a website.
—Kristen Moon, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Just hours prior to the notification was made by the intelligence community on Friday, a senior CISA official was briefing reporters: election security is national security, and said CISA is monitoring both the physical and cyber threats ahead of the 2024 election.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brief 
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Adjective
After a brief impression of Judy, Paris offered some insight into one of the girls’ foremost comedic influences growing up.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Tennessee’s brief, meanwhile, presents a much more conspiratorial picture.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
Amicus briefs have been filed on Fubo’s behalf by DirecTV and Dish Networks, as well as several politicians from both sides of the aisle.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
The Activation stage comprises the registration process, the Lean Canvas stage is the brainstorming period, the Innovation stage is where participants write an innovation brief, record an innovation video and create a website.
—Kristen Moon, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Robert Perry — briefed Batanero, a patrol deputy, on the case and said Duran may have been a suspect, even though Rivera had excluded him just that morning.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Just hours prior to the notification was made by the intelligence community on Friday, a senior CISA official was briefing reporters: election security is national security, and said CISA is monitoring both the physical and cyber threats ahead of the 2024 election.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brief
Articles Related to brief
Dictionary Entries Near brief
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brief. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brief
2 of 3 noun1
: a brief statement of the case a lawyer will present in court
2
plural
: short snug underpants
brief
3 of 3 verb
: to give information or instructions to
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English bref, breve "short, brief," from early French brief, bref (same meaning), from Latin brevis "short" — related to breve
Noun
Middle English bref "formal letter," from early French bref (same meaning), derived from Latin brevis "summary," from earlier brevis (adjective) "short, brief"
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