brotherhood

noun

broth·​er·​hood ˈbrə-t͟hər-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the quality or state of being brothers

2

: fellowship, alliance

3

: an association (such as a labor union or monastic society) for a particular purpose

4

: the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession

Synonyms

• association
• board
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• guild
• gild
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

Examples of brotherhood in a Sentence

they're a brotherhood of retired war veterans

a family that has been part of the brotherhood of police officers for four generations

Recent Examples on the Web

The creativity the brothers bring from four decades of producing concerts and exploring design around the world while touring has injected a fresh perspective to HGTV, while their brotherhood has endeared them to viewers. —Leena Tailor, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2025

He was entrenched in an exclusive brotherhood with teammates and classmates. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Formed in 1930, the sister and brotherhoods under NPHC are ones with century-old traditions, with the first one dating back to 1906. —Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025

The squad soon discovers the job is a suicide mission and must choose between redemption or the final termination of their close brotherhood. —Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English brotherhede, brotherhod, alteration of brotherrede, from Old English brōthorrǣden, from brōthor + rǣden condition — more at kindred entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brotherhood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood
• maidenhood

Kids Definition

brotherhood

noun

broth·​er·​hood ˈbrət͟h-ər-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the state of being brothers or a brother

2

: an association of people for a particular purpose

3

: the persons engaged in the same business or profession