- plural of brother.
brethren
Americanplural noun
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archaic a plural of brother
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fellow members of a religion, sect, society, etc
Synonym Usage
See brother.
Explanation
Brethren is a fancy plural form of "brother" and is most often used in religious contexts. A monk might refer to other monks in a monastery as his brethren. Though it literally means "brothers," brethren frequently refers to members of the same religious community. You'll also see the word used more broadly today to refer to male members of fraternal organizations, or any group of people with close social ties. Thomas Paine used it to argue for democracy when he wrote, “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”
Vocabulary lists containing brethren
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)
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Beowulf vocabulary
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The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
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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.
Tanton gravitated to science — not to the fundamentalist Evangelical United Brethren Church of his mother — and eventually studied medicine.
From Salon • Nov. 14, 2024
Dolafon Gospel Hall Trust, part of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is renovating the chapel for use as a meeting place.
From BBC • Sep. 6, 2023
He came to Granada Hills from Simi Valley Grace Brethren after his freshman season at a time when City Section football and track were struggling.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2023
When he turned 20, Mr. Richards was ordained in the Church of the Brethren.
From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2023
The great Twin Brethren to whom all Dorians pray.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
