brigade

[ bri-geyd ]

noun

1. a military unit having its own headquarters and consisting of two or more regiments, squadrons, groups, or battalions.
2. a large body of troops.
3. Digital Technology. cybermob.
4. a group of individuals organized for a particular purpose: a rescue brigade.

   a fire brigade;

   a rescue brigade.

5. bucket brigade.
6. History/Historical. a convoy of canoes, sleds, wagons, or pack animals, especially as used to supply trappers in the 18th- and 19th-century Canadian and U.S. fur trade.

verb (used with object)

, bri·gad·ed, bri·gad·ing.

1. to form into a brigade.
2. to group together.

verb (used with or without object)

, bri·gad·ed, bri·gad·ing.

1. Digital Technology. to engage in online brigading.

brigade

/ brɪˈɡeɪd /

noun

1. a formation of fighting units, together with support arms and services, smaller than a division and usually commanded by a brigadier
2. a group of people organized for a certain task

   a rescue brigade

verb

1. to organize into a brigade
2. to put or group together

Other Words From

• in·ter·bri·gade adjective
• sub·bri·gade noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, from Old Italian brigata “company of soldiers,” originally “group, band,” equivalent to brig(are) probably “to associate (with), be together” (obsolete sense), probably of Celtic origin; brigand + -ata -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

C17: from Old French, from Old Italian, from brigare to fight, perhaps of Celtic origin; see brigand

Example Sentences

Rival brigades often bare-knuckle brawled each other in the streets outside of burning buildings for the right to put out the fire and secure the lucre that came with it.

From The Daily Beast

Decades later, during the Persian Gulf War, he commanded a brigade of the 1st Armored Division.

From Washington Post

Assuming the battle won, the brigade to which the 71st was attached was granted permission to withdraw and rest.

From Washington Post

The chorizo con huevo features crumbly pork from Toluca Que Rico in Baltimore, whose heat is muted, though not extinguished, by a water brigade of ingredients, including scrambled eggs, avocado, Oaxaca cheese and chipotle mayo.

From Washington Post

I am thankful for the flexibility and adaptability of the brigade and our entire team here on the yard and in the local community as we navigate this challenging period, especially the hotels for their responsiveness and hospitality.

From Washington Post

Simultaneously, a brigade of mercenaries and Congolese soldiers would seal off the city and expel the guerrillas.

From The Daily Beast

Stasio would join the Fourth Brigade, Second Infantry Division, “the Raiders,” and deploy to Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

The staff sergeant said that when he was in the Givati Brigade in 2007 or so, it was “openly secular.”

From The Daily Beast

But the Givati Brigade drew particular attention because of its alleged responsibility for widespread civilian casualties.

From The Daily Beast

His fixer, who Barfi said was affiliated with the Islamist Tawhid brigade, was set free 15 days later.

From The Daily Beast

Even New Zealand Brigade which has been only recently engaged lost heavily and is to some extent demoralised.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon afterwards Cox, commanding the 29th Indian Brigade, came on board to make his salaam.

From Project Gutenberg

I decided after anxious searching of heart to help the French by taking over some portion of their line with the Naval Brigade.

From Project Gutenberg

Coming back in the evening to the ship we watched the Manchester Brigade disembarking.

From Project Gutenberg

Again visited Headquarters 29th Division, and afterwards walked through the trenches of the 87th Brigade.

From Project Gutenberg