brother

noun

broth·​er ˈbrə-t͟hər 

plural brothers also brethren ˈbret͟h-rən 

ˈbre-t͟hə-rən, 

-t͟hərn

1

: a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another

2

: one related to another by common ties or interests

3

: a fellow member

—used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations

4

: one of a type similar to another

5

a

: kinsman

b

: one who shares with another a common national or racial origin

especially : a Black boy or man : soul brother

6

a

Brother : a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usually in hospital or school work

b

: a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or is not ready for holy orders

a lay brother

Examples of brother in a Sentence

We must support our brothers and sisters fighting overseas.

the brothers in a monastery

Recent Examples on the Web

He was told to wait on a bench at the sixth station of the Fujinomiya trail as his father and brother continued their ascent, the report said. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

The woman’s 47-year-old brother died at the scene; her 5-year-old son died in an ambulance en route to a hospital; and her 2-year-old daughter died Thursday at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Hayter finished four seconds faster than compatriot Josh Tarling, who was racing just over a week after his younger brother Finlay Tarling was killed after being struck by a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Jarrett, the elder brother, was eventually taken in by a man who later abused him, a victimizer who then set his sights on Baylon. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English brōthor; akin to Old High German bruodor brother, Latin frater, Greek phratēr member of the same clan

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing brother

• big brother
• blood brother
• brother-in-law
• brother/sister/comrade in arms
• foster brother/sister
• half brother
• little brother/sister
• soul brother

Rhymes for brother

• mother
• nother
• other
• smother
• souther
• another
• godmother
• grandmother
• stepbrother
• stepmother

Kids Definition

brother

noun

broth·​er ˈbrət͟h-ər 

plural brothers also brethren ˈbret͟h- (ə-)rən 

ˈbret͟h-ərn

1

: a male who has one or both parents in common with another

2

: a male relative

3

: a fellow member of a group