bris

noun

ˈbris 

variants or less commonly briss

: the Jewish rite of circumcision

Examples of bris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, the first bris at the prison took place in the 1850s, after a baby was born to a Jewish woman prisoner. — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

When novelist Allegra Goodman introduces the clan, Jeanne is dying; at the book’s end, the family has assembled for Charlie’s bris. — Clare McHugh, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2026

In fact, apart from the near-miss bris debacle, the potentially comic situations never go far enough. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024

Stoppard, who was raised knowing little about Judaism, turned to friends while writing the play, seeking advice for a scene involving a bris and discussing Seders with Fran Lebowitz. — Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish bris, short for bris-mile, from Hebrew bĕrīth mīlāh, literally, covenant of circumcision

First Known Use

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bris

noun

variants also briss

ˈbris

: the Jewish rite of circumcision