brotherhood

American  

[bruhth-er-hood] / ˈbrʌð ərˌhʊd /

noun

brotherhoods plural

1. the condition or quality of being a brother or brothers.

2. the quality of being brotherly; fellowship.

3. a fraternal or trade organization.

4. all those engaged in a particular trade or profession or sharing a common interest or quality.

5. the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in nationality, creed, ethnicity, etc.

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brotherhood British  

/ ˈbrʌðəˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being related as a brother or brothers

2. an association or fellowship, such as a trade union

3. all persons engaged in a particular profession, trade, etc

4. the belief, feeling, or hope that all people should regard and treat one another as equals

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• brotherhoods
  plural

Etymology

Origin of brotherhood

1250–1300; Middle English brithirhod ( see brother, -hood); replacing early Middle English brotherhede; see -head

Explanation

The relationship between a boy or man and his male siblings is known as brotherhood. Feeling that kind of connection with other people, even if you're not related, is also a kind of brotherhood. This word is limited to the male gender; in families, brotherhood is the relationship between brothers. To include all of your siblings, you can use the term siblinghood. Members of fraternal organizations — clubs or societies of men with common interests or jobs — also feel a sense of brotherhood. A more inclusive name, one that would allow for all genders, might be kinship, alliance, or association.

Example Sentences

The Brotherhood is a century-old Islamist group that renounced violence in the 1970s, though spinoffs such as Hamas remain active and on the U.S. blacklist.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

One, often described as aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, and represented by Meshaal and parts of the external leadership, is viewed by observers as more pragmatic and less ideologically rigid.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

That jolted Aranibar, an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 11, into action.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

In occasionally indelicate detail, “Tusker: Brotherhood of Elephants” studies the reproductive lives of Kenya’s rare “tuskers”—animals whose tusks weigh more than 100 pounds apiece, making them especially attractive to poachers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

I had switched from the arrogant absurdity of Norton and Emerson to that of Jack and the Brotherhood, and it all came out the same—except I now recognized my invisibility.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Related Words

• fraternity
• guild
• partnership