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
Synonyms of brothernext
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
Brother : 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.
Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south. Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Swift and Kelce did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, instead opting for Swift's brother Austin Swift as her man of honor and Jason Kelce was the groom's best man. Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026 In November 1783, a hot-air balloon designed by the Montgolfier brothers carried two men on a 25-minute flight over Paris, beginning our species' exploration of the heavens. Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026 Dancer/choreographer Kameron Saunders, a University of Missouri-Kansas City alum who toured with Swift on the Eras Tour, attended with his brother, Khalen Saunders, an NFLer who played with the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022. Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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

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