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

For Huntington-Whiteley, one of the best things about welcoming another child has been watching Jack grow as a big brother. — Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Though killing Kim may be Gang Seong’s orders, the mission is also personal for the new Agent 66, who has been told that Kim is responsible for the death of his big brother. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026

That’s because Lou Koller was New York hardcore’s big brother. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026

In the gallery, big brother Charlie is seen holding one of River’s fingers and, in another shot, holding him altogether. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 24 July 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