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 golf influencer community seems to be a great brotherhood where everyone admires and supports each other. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

Basketball: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and a brotherhood forged by competition. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

With the group’s strength in mind, the Backstreet Boys see the residency is a reminder of their legacy and their 32-year brotherhood. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025

Featuring some larger-than-life characters, Sirianni has helped mold this consortium of talent into a brotherhood and a winning machine. —Ben Morse, CNN, 8 Feb. 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