brief

1 of 3

adjective

1
: short in duration, extent, or length
a brief meeting
2
a
: concise
gave a brief description of events
promises to be brief
b
briefness noun

brief

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: an official letter or mandate (see mandate entry 1 sense 1)
especially, Roman Catholicism : a papal letter less formal than a bull
b
: a specific instruction or responsibility
his brief was to strengthen the army
2
a
: a concise article (as in a newspaper)
a news brief
c
law : a concise statement of a client's case made out for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk
3
: an outline of an argument
especially, law : a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence
a legal brief
filed a brief
4
briefs plural [brief entry 1] : short snug pants or underpants
wearing briefs

brief

3 of 3

verb

briefed; briefing; briefs

transitive verb

1
: to make an abstract or abridgment of
brief a report
summarized northeastern Siberian archaeology and has briefed many normally unavailable sourcesWendell Oswalt
2
a
: to give final precise instructions to
were briefed before their mission
b
: to coach thoroughly in advance
c
: to give essential information to
The president is being briefed by his advisors.
3
: to discuss (something, such as a military operation) in a briefing
briefed the mission
briefer noun
Phrases
in brief
: in a few words : briefly
today's news in brief

Examples of brief in a Sentence

Adjective The meeting will be brief. The essay is brief but thorough enough. a few brief words of caution Noun Her brief is to manage the company's sales department. a one-page brief of the intelligence report Verb The captain briefed the crew on the new safety procedures. The President has been briefed by his advisers. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Hamas, which took several hostages, released some during a brief ceasefire with Israel this week. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023 King Charles was one of the last big moves of the brief Chris Licht era at CNN. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023 Recent data has shown a brief rebound in China’s struggling economy has stalled, piling pressure on China's president Xi Jinping to spur growth with stimulus measures. Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 The appeals court ruled against Trump and lifted the stay in a brief order on Thursday. Graham Kates, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023 In his brief message, the entrepreneur praised decisions taken in recent years by rival PDD Holdings Inc. to wrest market share from China’s e-commerce leader. Zheping Huang, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023 And yet, for a brief moment after the truck appeared onstage, the entire room — one full of Tesla customers and fans from all around the world — fell practically silent in disbelief. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 Nov. 2023 How To Make Hot Chocolate Spoons Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2023 Lee’s brief cocaine period (circa late Seventies/early Eighties) was the only time substances ever crept into Rush’s performances. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
The British Defense Ministry said in an intelligence brief this week that Russian forces have suffered thousands of casualties in the process. Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023 His vision for ‘Akka’ grabbed Aditya’s attention and the project was greenlit instantly with a brief from Adi to make ‘Akka’ one of the biggest tentpole series that YRF Entertainment will ever make. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023 Barnett’s brief is due Feb. 20, followed by the government’s brief on March 21, and Barnett’s reply brief on April 11. Bill Bowden, arkansasonline.com, 22 Nov. 2023 The brief did not break out the performance of students who received subsidies to take A.P. exams, arguably the most pertinent group for policymakers. Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 Before Halloween, Kardashian collaborated with Neymar Jr., to promote her new venture in menswear, which includes a range of SKIMS briefs, boxers, tanks and tees for men. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023 In exclusive behind-the-scenes photos shared with PEOPLE, Flynn, 30, reveals what's underneath his holiday-wear, including a tight pair of briefs (CK's Future Shift Holiday Low Rise Trunks to be exact) — and nothing else! Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 But the College Board has released only the brief — not its study or its data. Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The dispute has attracted input from a slew of pro-Second Amendment and gun control groups, Democratic lawmakers, and prosecutors and public defenders, who submitted friend-of-the-court briefs to the justices. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2023
Verb
While the intrusions appear to have been opportunistic and aimed at sending a message, the ability of a foreign government to gain broad access to US critical infrastructure led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency to brief members of Congress on the hacking campaign on Thursday. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 2 Dec. 2023 Though Jewish settlers who hold American citizenship can’t be barred from the United States, the Biden administration called on Israel to prosecute those who engage in violence, according to U.S. officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was briefed on the latest North Korean activities and ordered military readiness, his office said. Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023 Biden would deliver remarks at 1:45 p.m. ET, the White House said, adding he was briefed multiple times Friday morning by his national security team on the latest developments. Ken Thomas, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2023 The candidate has been briefed extensively and may be expected to talk about strategy, vision, or risks. Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023 However, Israel has only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians can flee the area of ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along the territory's main north-south artery. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Nov. 2023 However, Israel has so far only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians are able to flee the area of ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along the territory's main north-south artery. CBS News, 11 Nov. 2023 An Israeli source briefed on the hostage deal told ABC News that a batch of about 10 to 12 hostages will be released in Gaza each day during the cease-fire. Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English bref, breve, from Anglo-French bref, brief, from Latin brevis; akin to Old High German murg short, Greek brachys

Noun

Middle English bref, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin brevis, from Late Latin, summary, from Latin brevis brief entry 1

Verb

verbal derivative of brief entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brief was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near brief

Cite this Entry

“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brief. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

brief

1 of 3 adjective
: not very long : short
briefly adverb
briefness noun

brief

2 of 3 noun
1
: a brief statement of the case a lawyer will present in court
2
plural : short snug underpants

brief

3 of 3 verb
: to give information or instructions to
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English bref, breve "short, brief," from early French brief, bref (same meaning), from Latin brevis "short" — related to breve

Noun

Middle English bref "formal letter," from early French bref (same meaning), derived from Latin brevis "summary," from earlier brevis (adjective) "short, brief"

Legal Definition

brief

1 of 2 noun
1
: a concise statement of a client's case written for the instruction of an attorney usually by a law clerk

called also memorandum

2
: a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence

Note: Briefs are filed either by a party or an amicus curiae with a court usually regarding a specific motion (as for summary judgment) or point of law.

brief

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to write a brief concerning (a motion or question of law)
Etymology

Noun

Old French bref, brief letter, writ indicating legal proceedings, from Late Latin brevis, breve short document, summary, from Latin brevis, adjective, short

More from Merriam-Webster on brief

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