brief

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbrēf

Synonyms of brief next

: short in duration, extent, or length

a brief meeting

: concise

gave a brief description of events

promises to be brief

: curt, abrupt

briefness noun

brief

2 of 3

noun

: an official letter or mandate (see mandate entry 1 sense 1)

especially, Roman Catholicism : a papal letter less formal than a bull

: a specific instruction or responsibility

his brief was to strengthen the army

: a concise article (as in a newspaper)

a news brief

: synopsis, summary

law : a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk

: 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

briefs plural [brief entry 1] : short snug pants or underpants

wearing briefs

brief

3 of 3

verb

briefed; briefing; briefs

transitive verb

: to make an abstract or abridgment of

brief a report

summarized northeastern Siberian archaeology and has briefed many normally unavailable sources—

Wendell Oswalt

: to give final precise instructions to

were briefed before their mission

: to coach thoroughly in advance

: to give essential information to

The president is being briefed by his advisors.

: to discuss (something, such as a military operation) in a briefing

briefed the mission

briefer noun

Phrases

in brief

: in a few words : briefly

today's news in brief

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

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.

Adjective

The pair exchanged a few words during the brief interaction. —

Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025 Firefighters made some progress against ongoing fires overnight to Saturday morning, thanks to a brief reprieve from gusty winds. —

Emma Bowman, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025

Noun

The government’s brief acknowledged that ByteDance is incorporated in the Cayman Islands but said that its headquarters are in Beijing and that it is primarily operated from offices in China. —

Adam Liptak, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Many legal observers do not believe Trump's brief will influence the court's ultimate decision. —

Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025

Verb

Some witnesses contacted by the FBI did not respond, according to multiple sources familiar with background outreach and other sources briefed on the process. —

Rachel Scott, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 The bureau does not brief other senators on its findings. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for brief

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English bref, breve, from Anglo-French bref, brief, from Latin brevis; akin to Old High German murg short, Greek brachys

Noun

Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis brief entry 1

Verb

verbal derivative of brief entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of brief was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brief. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

brief

1 of 3 adjective

ˈbrēf

: not very long : short

briefly adverb

briefness noun

brief

2 of 3 noun

: a brief statement of the case a lawyer will present in court

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"

Legal Definition

brief

1 of 2 noun

: a concise statement of a client's case written for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk

called also memorandum

: a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence

Note: Briefs are filed either by a party or an amicus curiae with a court usually regarding a specific motion (as for summary judgment) or point of law.

brief

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to write a brief concerning (a motion or question of law)

Etymology

Noun

Old French bref, brief letter, writ indicating legal proceedings, from Late Latin brevis, breve short document, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective, short

Last Updated: 15 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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brief

adjective

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of brief in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near brief

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition