big brother
noun
1
: an older brother
2
: a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy
3
Big Brother
[Big Brother, personification of the power of the state in 1984 (1949) by George Orwell]
a
: the leader of an authoritarian state or movement
b
: an all-powerful government or organization monitoring and directing people's actions
Examples of big brother in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lea Michele’s son Ever Leo is ready to be a big brother!
—
Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
The pier age Next comes the pier, big brother to the wharf.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Caring for his big brother was what Johnson did, for many years.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 29 May 2024
There is also a book and medal version for big brothers.
—Laura Denby, Parents, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for big brother 
Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
The pier age Next comes the pier, big brother to the wharf.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Caring for his big brother was what Johnson did, for many years.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 29 May 2024
There is also a book and medal version for big brothers.
—Laura Denby, Parents, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for big brother
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'big brother.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Big brother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20brother. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
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