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

Marcus came to watch Maximo play and has been offering support like a big brother does. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

Her mom, Alicia, dad, Matt, and big brother, Mason, beamed with pride next to her. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025

And LaMelo surely will rib Lonzo about getting past Lonzo for a key drive to the bucket in the final minutes, drawing a foul on big brother, and also playing solid defense on Lonzo during a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2025

Throughout the series, Daniel learns to work through his emotions, share with his friends, be a good big brother, and try new things. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for big brother

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