British

1 of 2

noun (1)

Brit·​ish ˈbri-tish 

1

a

: the Celtic language of the ancient Britons

b

: british english

2

plural in construction : the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations

British adjective

Britishism

ˈbri-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

noun

Britishness noun

Britishism

2 of 2

noun (2)

Brit·​ish·​ism ˈbri-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

plural -s

1

: briticism

2

a

: the distinctive qualities of the people of the British Commonwealth

b

: one of these qualities

Examples of British in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The British arrived as colonizers and left behind bureaucracy, cricket, and a parliament. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

In another significant change, full voting members will decide winners of the British Short Film and British Short Animation categories for the first time, raising the profile of these works. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

Of those uncontrolled blazes, over 160 are burning in the province of Manitoba and there are nearly 130 in British Columbia. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025

The series has also been translated into Welsh and British Sign Language. —Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English Bruttische of Britain, from Old English Brettisc, from Brettas Britons, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython Briton

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing British

• anti-British
• British Columbian
• British English
• British Summer Time
• British thermal unit
• the British

Rhymes for British

• skittish

Kids Definition

British

1 of 2 noun

Brit·​ish

ˈbrit-ish

1

plural British : the people of Great Britain or their descendants

2

: the English language as spoken in England

British

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the original people of Britain

2

a

: of or relating to Great Britain or the British

b

: English entry 1