British

noun

Brit·​ish ˈbri-tish 

1

a

: the Celtic language of the ancient Britons

b

: british english

2

plural in construction : the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations

British adjective

Britishism

ˈbri-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

noun

Britishness noun

Examples of British in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shereen Lee Shereen Lee lives and writes in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. —Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024

At the tail end of 2023, British Vogue’s shopping editor dampened her forefinger and raised it forthright into the air. —Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024

This Asian hornet station in the Associated British Port of Plymouth attracts the hornets, IDs them with its AI cameras, and alerts local authorities. —Frankie Adkins, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024

The mansion eventually became a palace for various members of the British Royal Family, including Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, and his wife, Princess Mary (daughter of King George III). —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024

At the Fort Worth zoo, 50 students from British Columbia gathered to finish their year-long research on animal behavior during the solar eclipse. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2024

Martini Film Studios has Netflix as an anchor tenant at its suburban Vancouver facility in Langley, British Columbia via a lease agreement renewed for another five years in 2022, and has Warner Bros. ITV, CBS and indie producers also shooting on its soundstages. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024

In British Vogue, Zendaya opened up about her boyfriend Tom Holland's sudden rise to superstardom. —Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

From the Canadian Rockies to the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia’s natural wonders come in a great variety. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Bruttische of Britain, from Old English Brettisc, from Brettas Britons, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython Briton

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing British

• British Summer Time
• anti-British
• the British
• British thermal unit
• British English

Kids Definition

British

1 of 2 noun

Brit·​ish

ˈbrit-ish

1

plural British : the people of Great Britain or their descendants

2

: the English language as spoken in England

British

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the original people of Britain

2

a

: of or relating to Great Britain or the British

b

: English entry 1