brigade

American  

[bri-geyd] / brɪˈgeɪd /

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.

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verb (used with object)

brigaded, brigading

1. to form into a brigade.

2. to group together.

verb (used with or without object)

brigaded, brigading

1. Digital Technology. to engage in online brigading.

brigade British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to organize into a brigade

2. to put or group together

Other Word Forms

• interbrigade adjective
• subbrigade noun

Etymology

Origin of brigade

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

Explanation

A brigade is a unit of the army. A bunch of brigades make up a division, while brigades are divided into battalions and regiments. The military is nothing if not organized, and one of the forms of organization is the brigade. A brigade is smaller than a division, but larger than a battalion or regiment, several of which make up a brigade. A colonel or brigadier general will command a brigade, which consists of several units, including one at headquarters, one infantry unit, plus support staff. Soldiers in the same brigade will work together closely. Veterans will remember their brigade comrades.

Example Sentences

"Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, lost his life," Kaga local government chairman, Zannah Lawan Ajimi told AFP on the phone.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Earlier this year, thousands of American Marines and sailors came together with Japan’s amphibious brigade for weekslong drills in southwest Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

They may be joined later by another Marine Expeditionary Unit as well as command elements and a combat brigade from the Army’s 82nd Airborne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"We were lucky to be able to serve the community in this way... that's the opportunity that the fire brigade gives you."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Someone must have a radio—the fire brigade, if one remains, or the resistance, or the Americans hurling missiles at the city.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr