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.
She's even worked on the score for several projects that starred her brother, including Twisters and Anyone But You. Mckinley Franklin, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Hart also boosted the careers of The 1-2-3 Kid, Yokozuna, and his brother, Owen Hart, showcasing his commitment to creating compelling storylines and elevating his opponents. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Her brother slid into the driver's seat and played with the gear shift, rolling the car backward. Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Apr. 2025 Survivors include her brother Dave, nieces Jennifer and Laura, and her brother-in-law, Vic. Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 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

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