brother
noun
broth·er
ˈbrə-t͟hər
plural brothers also brethren
ˈbret͟h-rən
ˈbre-t͟hə-rən,
-t͟hərn
1
: a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another
2
: one related to another by common ties or interests
3
: a fellow member
—used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations
4
: one of a type similar to another
5
a
: kinsman
b
: one who shares with another a common national or racial origin
especially
: a Black boy or man : soul brother
6
a
Brother
: a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usually in hospital or school work
b
: a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or is not ready for holy orders
a lay brother
Cite this Entry
“Brother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brother. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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