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 Irgun was rooted in the nationalism of Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky, and while Lehi incorporated visions of Jewish and Arab brotherhood against British imperialism held by leader Abraham Stern. —Eliot A. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2015

The unlikely brotherhood between the pair of legendary lions takes center stage in the official trailer for Disney’s photorealistic Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King. —EW.com, 10 Aug. 2024

There’s a small sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, family, of the people who can appreciate the darkness and the light. —Devin Lotfi, IndieWire, 22 July 2024

In addition to basketball players, the local union claims security guards, craftsman and custodians in its brotherhood. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024

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

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