British

noun

Brit·​ish ˈbri-tish 

1

a

: the Celtic language of the ancient Britons

b

: british english

2

plural in construction : the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations

British adjective

Britishism

ˈbri-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

noun

Britishness noun

Examples of British in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This would create partition on the patriots’ terms, not Britain’s, as 13 contiguous colonies seceded from the rump of the British Empire in North America. — David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026

The British Film Institute has added six new members to its board of governors, expanding the executive group to 14. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 June 2026

The 6-foot, 174-pounder has a right-handed shot and is from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 26 June 2026

One of the clearest cases is British Columbia’s salmon coast. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Bruttische of Britain, from Old English Brettisc, from Brettas Britons, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython Briton

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing British

• anti-British
• British Columbian
• British English
• British Summer Time
• British thermal unit
• the British

Rhymes for British

• skittish

Kids Definition

British

1 of 2 noun

Brit·​ish

ˈbrit-ish

1

plural British : the people of Great Britain or their descendants

2

: the English language as spoken in England

British

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the original people of Britain

2

a

: of or relating to Great Britain or the British

b

: English entry 1