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

To be their big brother leading the fight. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 5 May 2026

Jason Clarkin no longer has doubts about organ donation, knowing that in many ways his big brother lives on. —John Lauritsen, CBS News, 1 May 2026

But Lola wasn't exactly pleased to be photographed with her big brother and dad in June 2001. —Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

And then there’s Nico, looking like everybody’s big brother at spring practices, smack-talking and celebrating the guys, as engaged as Chesney but easier to spot because his golden helmet glistens above everyone else’s. —Los Angeles Times, 1 May 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