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

Finale has the same attentiveness to detail as its big brother, the same sense of adventure with specialty options, but with an exquisitely crispy New York crust. — Peter St. Onge updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Alcock’s too-few scenes with Corenswet’s Clark Kent/Superman also suggest what might have been a more entertaining tack, establishing a big brother/little sister dynamic with fun, spiky potential. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026

The three-time Super Bowl champ, 36, enjoyed quality time with his male friends in Southern California, including big brother and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce as well as future brother-in-law Austin Swift, according to multiple outlets. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026

Aemond tries to sneakily kill his kingly big brother, Aegon (because now that Aegon's son is dead, Aemond is his heir). — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for big brother

• another
• godmother
• grandmother
• stepbrother
• stepmother
• mother
• nother
• other
• smother
• souther