big brother

noun

1
: an older brother
2
: a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy
3
Big Brother [Big Brother, personification of the power of the state in 1984 (1949) by George Orwell]
a
: the leader of an authoritarian state or movement
b
: an all-powerful government or organization monitoring and directing people's actions

Examples of big brother in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Doom Eternal Doom Eternal is the faster, meaner, more agile big brother of Doom (2016). Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 One year after opening its doors in 1962, Corona del Mar started crashing helmets against the Sailors, always viewed as the big brother, or the USC, of the town, according to Newport Harbor player Tony Horvath. Richard Dunn, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025 Chanel’s big brother, Tracy Jr., 33, and big sister, LeTesha, 48, also pose for the snap alongside her parents, Coco Austin, 45, and Ice-T, 66. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024 Next up is Jean Pronovost, who played 753 games for the Penguins and was once a Lady Byng finalist, but didn’t get invited to join his big brother Marcel in the Hall. Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for big brother 

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big brother was in 1809

Dictionary Entries Near big brother

Cite this Entry

“Big brother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20brother. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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