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

Who won the Power of Veto on 'Big Brother'? Spoiler alert! —David Wysong, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2023

The baby girl, named Alix, joins big sister Anna-Astrid, born in May 2016, and big brother Maximilian, born in September 2019. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023

At the end of Saturday’s service, Clay Buchanan’s younger brother, Chris Buchanan, said his big brother meant everything to him, so much so that Chris’ son bears both their names, Chris Clay Buchanan. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023

Despite the communist affinity with its big brother to the north, Vietnam has been motivated to find new partners due to Beijing’s aggressive activity over the past decade. —Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023

Is there anything sweeter than big brothers and sisters meeting their baby siblings for the first time? —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2023

With streaming, availability is out of one’s control and movie-watching becomes an activity conducted under the aegis of a big brother, however well-meaning. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023

Cora sees himself as a big brother who will dispense advice when needed. —Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023

The new addition joins big brother, RZA, who was born in May 2022. —USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1