noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

brood

Brood (noun) means a group of young animals, especially birds, hatched or raised together. Example: “The hen led her brood of chicks across the yard.”

noun

A group of young animals, especially birds, hatched or raised together.

"The hen led her brood of chicks across the yard."

Informal term for the children of one family.

"She raised her brood of five kids mostly on her own."

verb

Of a bird, to sit on eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.

"The hen brooded over her eggs for three weeks."

To dwell unhappily on one's thoughts, often alone.

"He spent the whole weekend brooding over the argument."

How to use brood

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA litter or group of young offspring (especially birds), or — as a verb — sitting on eggs, or sulking and dwelling on negative thoughts.

Common pairings

brood of chicks brood over something a whole brood

Word forms

brooded past tense, broods plural, broods singular

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The hen led her _____ of chicks across the yard.

Etymology

From Old English brōd ("brood, hatching"), tracing back to a very old root meaning "heat" or "breeding warmth."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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clutch litter offspring mope sulk fret

Related words

take Children kind son mother hold eat worry

Rhymes for brood

food good wood mood hood snood blood flood Atwood Osgood Elwood plywood

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Frequently asked questions

What does “brood” mean?

The word “brood” means a group of young animals, especially birds, hatched or raised together. In plain terms, a litter or group of young offspring (especially birds), or — as a verb — sitting on eggs, or sulking and dwelling on negative thoughts.

How do you pronounce “brood”?

“Brood” is pronounced brood (/bɹud/ in IPA).

How do you use “brood” in a sentence?

Here is “brood” used in a sentence: “The hen led her brood of chicks across the yard.”

What part of speech is “brood”?

Depending on how it is used, “brood” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “brood” come from?

The word “brood” comes from Old English. From Old English brōd ("brood, hatching"), tracing back to a very old root meaning "heat" or "breeding warmth.".

Is “brood” a common word?

“Brood” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “brood” have?

“Brood” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of young animals, especially birds, hatched or raised together.

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