noun
Common
brigade
brih-GAYD
Brigade (noun) means a large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments. Example: “Each brigade in the army had its own commander and supply train.”
noun
1
A large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments.
"Each brigade in the army had its own commander and supply train."
"The general ordered the third brigade to move north before dawn."
"The brigade was deployed to reinforce the front line."
2
A group of people organized for a shared purpose or sharing a common trait.
"A brigade of cooks worked in the hotel kitchen all through the wedding feast."
"The fire brigade arrived within minutes of the alarm."
"A brigade of volunteers cleaned up the beach after the storm."
verb
1
To coordinate an organized group, often online, to harass or overwhelm someone.
"Some fans brigaded the review page with fake angry comments overnight."
"The streamer asked her followers not to brigade other channels."
"The forum was brigaded by users from a rival community."
How to use brigade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large organized group, especially a military unit or volunteer force; also, online, a coordinated pile-on.
Common pairings
fire brigade
infantry brigade
brigade of volunteers
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Word forms
- Plural
- brigades
- Third person singular
- brigades
- Past tense
- brigaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each _____ in the army had its own commander and supply train.
Etymology
Borrowed from French brigade, ultimately from Italian brigata, related to briga ("strife, trouble").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for brigade
See all rhymes for brigade →Frequently asked questions
What does “brigade” mean?
The word “brigade” means a large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments. In plain terms, a large organized group, especially a military unit or volunteer force; also, online, a coordinated pile-on.
How do you pronounce “brigade”?
“Brigade” is pronounced brih-GAYD (/bɹɪˈɡeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “brigade” in a sentence?
Here is “brigade” used in a sentence: “The brigade was deployed to reinforce the front line.”
What part of speech is “brigade”?
Depending on how it is used, “brigade” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brigade” come from?
The word “brigade” comes from French. Borrowed from French brigade, ultimately from Italian brigata, related to briga ("strife, trouble").
Is “brigade” a common word?
“Brigade” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brigade” have?
“Brigade” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments.
What is the difference between a "brigade" and a "battalion"?
A brigade is a large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments, so it is bigger than a battalion. A battalion is one of the smaller units that combine to form a brigade.
What is a "brigade" outside the military?
Beyond the armed forces, a brigade can be any group of people organized for a shared purpose or sharing a common trait. Familiar examples include a "fire brigade" and a "bucket brigade."
What words commonly go with "brigade"?
Common collocations include "fire brigade," "bucket brigade," and named groups organized around a cause. In its online sense, it appears in phrases like "brigade a post" or "vote brigade."
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