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

The series interviews two of Perry’s closest friends — industry pal Kevin Pollak, and his sister Mia Perry Bowick, who eventually became a therapist well-versed in addiction in large part because of her big brother’s struggle. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026

Two of its former members – Nolan’s fraternity big brother and the master of ceremonies for the event that killed him – were arrested on misdemeanor hazing charges. — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Four days prior, Kaia said her big brother made time to watch her on Ryan Murphy’s new thriller, The Shards. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 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