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

David Eby, the premier of British Columbia, has directed government agencies to exclude U.S. supplies from new purchasing agreements. —William Gavin, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025

Winslet was receiving an Artist of the Year award from the Los Angeles branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

Over the next two years, with full support from Jaguar’s racing division, the car was fiercely campaigned, taking a number of wins and second-place finishes, including victory at the British Empire Trophy Race in 1957. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2025

Some authorities in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia planned to remove American liquor brands from government store shelves. —Rob Gillies, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2025

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 English
• British Summer Time
• British thermal unit
• the British

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