brigade

¹bri·gade

noun \bri-ˈgād\

Definition of BRIGADE

1

a : a large body of troops

b : a tactical and administrative unit composed of a headquarters, one or more units of infantry or armor, and supporting units

2

: a group of people organized for special activity

Examples of BRIGADE

1. The morality brigade insists that the book be censored.
2. <a clean-up brigade put the parish hall back in good order>

Origin of BRIGADE

French, from Italian brigata, from brigare to fight — more at brigand

First Known Use: 1634

Related to BRIGADE

Synonyms

army, band, gang, company, crew, outfit, party, platoon, squad, team

Related Words

battalion, corps, troop; force, host, posse, stable, troupe; administration, department, help, personnel, staff

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with BRIGADE

abrade, afraid, air raid, arcade, Band-Aid, barmaid, Belgrade, blockade, bondmaid, bridesmaid, brocade, cascade, charade, clichéd, cockade, corrade, cross-trade, crusade, decade, degrade, dissuade, downgrade, evade, eyeshade, fair-trade, first aid, glissade, grenade, handmade, homemade, housemaid, inlaid, invade, limeade, low-grade, man-made, mermaid, milkmaid, navaid, nightshade, nursemaid, old maid, parade, persuade, pervade, plain-laid, pomade, postpaid, sacheted, scalade, sea-maid, self-made, stockade, sunshade, switchblade, torsade, twayblade, twice-laid, unbraid, unlade, unmade, unpaid, upbraid, upgrade

²brigade

transitive verb

bri·gad·ed bri·gad·ing

Definition of BRIGADE

: to form or unite into a brigade

First Known Use of BRIGADE

1781

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

brigade

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Military unit commanded by a brigadier general or a colonel and composed of two or more subordinate units, such as regiments or battalions. Two or more brigades make up a division.