brigadier

[ brig-uh-deer ]

noun

1. British Military. a rank between colonel and major general.
2. U.S. Army Informal. a brigadier general.
3. History/Historical. a noncommissioned rank in the Napoleonic armies.

brigadier

/ ˌbrɪɡəˈdɪə /

noun

1. an officer of the British Army or Royal Marines who holds a rank junior to a major general but senior to a colonel, usually commanding a brigade
2. an equivalent rank in other armed forces
3. army short for brigadier general
4. history a noncommissioned rank in the armies of Napoleon I

Other Words From

• briga·diership noun
• under·briga·dier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigadier¹

1670–80; < French: officer commanding a brigade; brigade, -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigadier¹

C17: from French, from brigade

Example Sentences

So when Reynold Hoover talks about his new role as chief executive for LA28, the private group responsible for staging the Games and the ensuing Paralympics, he often refers to his stint as a brigadier general in the Afghanistan war.

From Los Angeles Times

A large number of former and serving army officials have shared the viral video of the woman and pledged support to her fight since her father is a retired army brigadier.

From BBC

“The modesty and dignity of his fiancee, who also happens to be the daughter of a retired brigadier, was grossly outraged by the police authorities,” the letter adds.

From BBC

"He allegedly manipulated contracts. He was previously arrested, got bail and fled the country to the UK," national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told AFP.

From BBC

Alongside Michael, far higher profile people emerged from the House of Mirrors – including two senior members of the Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami, a retired brigadier, Abdullahi Aman Azmi and Barrist Ahmed Bin Quasem.

From BBC