brit
1 Americannoun
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the group of small marine animals forming the food of baleen whales.
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the young of herring and sprat.
noun
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a native or inhabitant of Great Britain, especially of England; Briton.
He married a Brit.
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Disparaging. a member of the British army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
adjective
abbreviation
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Britain.
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British.
abbreviation
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Britain
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British
noun
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the young of a herring, sprat, or similar fish
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minute marine crustaceans, esp copepods, forming food for many fishes and whales
noun
Etymology
Origin of brit1
First recorded in 1595–1605; perhaps from Cornish brȳthel “mackerel”; akin to Old Cornish brȳth, Welsh brith “speckled”
Origin of Brit2
First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was trained in the Jewish religious practice of brit milah — a profession generally spelled “mohel” in English and pronounced “moil.”
From New York Times ● Aug. 15, 2023
When she can, she conducts brit milahs for local families — at most “a few a month,” she said.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 6, 2019
“With brit milahs, they’re having the family they want, and if I’m doing the abortions, I’m just fulfilling the wish of women to have the lives they want.”
From Washington Post ● Aug. 6, 2019
Turquoise's 53 Summer Street is a surreal location for psychedelic-era enlightenment in a track that BeltwayBandit describes as "really scrumptious 60s brit psychedelic whimsy, sort of Kinksesque but quite unique".
From The Guardian ● May 24, 2012
This name does not denote British origin, but is derived from three Teuton words, brit, to tighten: tan, a tooth; and ica, loose; thus expressing its power of bracing up loose teeth and spongy gums.
From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie
Inspired by the world-famous arts academy in London which produced talents such as Adele and Tom Holland, Brit North is expected to bring more than 550 students and staff into the city centre.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
His first album and single were both UK number ones, while his record Harry's House won a Grammy and a Brit Award after its release in 2022.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Otherwise, as a famous Brit once sang backed by sinuous xylophones, “Baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
The 27-year old Brit, who previously studied mathematics, said many of his industry colleagues now use phrases like “crunchtime” and “endgame” to describe the trajectory toward self-improving models.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
I was happy—relieved—there was space between Brit and me.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
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"I still struggle to call myself a black Brit. I grew up here all my life and I have strong ties here, but I'm also Nigerian" says Afolabi.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2022
"I had a little bit of nerves - I was a big favourite against a young Brit. I'm excited to see how he's going to do in the future," Norrie told Amazon Prime.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2022
Encore has polished acting, direction and writing by three different sets of Brit. ish film talents.
From Time Magazine Archive
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“But, listen, Brit. When they pick up this Erlone fellow, he’s going to tell the cops and the papers’ll have the story anyway. So call ’em now.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
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Brit., which is very well done, I think; although I cannot agree with one or two of his definitions.
From Letters of David Ricardo to Thomas Robert Malthus, 1810-1823 by David Ricardo
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