big brother

noun

1. an elder brother.
2. (sometimes initial capital letters) a man who individually or as a member of an organized group undertakes to sponsor or assist a boy in need of help or guidance.
3. (usually initial capital letters) the head of a totalitarian regime that keeps its citizens under close surveillance.
4. (usually initial capital letters) the aggregate of officials and policy makers of a powerful and pervasive state.
5. Citizens Band Radio Slang. a police officer or police car.

Big Brother

noun

1. a person, organization, etc, that exercises total dictatorial control
2. a television gameshow format in which a small number of people living in accommodation sealed off from the outside world are constantly monitored by TV cameras. Viewers vote each week to expel a person from the group until there is only one person left, who wins a cash prize

Word History and Origins

Origin of big brother¹

1860–65; 1949 big brother fordefs 3, 4, the epithet of a dictator in G. Orwell's novel 1984

Word History and Origins

Origin of big brother¹

C20: after a character in George Orwell's novel 1984 (1949)

Example Sentences

“I failed them as a big brother, as a son and as a grandson,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

As its former colonies gained independence in the middle of the last century, Britain continued to play a sort of "big brother" role.

From BBC

“I was on the freeway and this big brother pulls up next to me in this piece of ancient Detroit steel,” Amos recalled in an interview with The Times 40 years after “Roots” premiered.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the first players to take Arteta under his wing was Pochettino, who the Spaniard has since described as his “big brother” and “football father”.

From BBC

On her Instagram stories, Moore shared a photo of Lou’s big brothers welcoming their little sister home with an entryway banner.

From Los Angeles Times