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

During our interview, her brother Nick, now 25, recalled receiving a phone call no big brother should. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

The relationship between Jordan and Queen isn’t just vet and rookie but big brother and little brother and has quickly become something special. —Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Lizzy Evans’ view of her big brother is clearer than ever this year. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

Cooper’s big brother yelled excitedly when first responders arrived at the Vetta Sports Soccerdome in Webster Groves. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 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