big brother

American  

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.

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Big Brother British  

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

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Usage

What does Big Brother mean? A big brother can be an older male, related or not, who protects a younger person.Big Brother (usually uppercase) also refers to an omnipresent, usually governmental authority that monitors everyone's every move.How is Big Brother pronounced?[ big bruhth-er ]

Etymology

Origin of big brother

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

Example Sentences

Adams, a 12th-year pro, has been a mentor and “like a big brother to me,” Mumpfield said, adding that he tries to “take bits and pieces of his game and add to mine.”

From Los Angeles Times

While Umar "can't remember much" about his childhood in Peshawar one thing stands out – playing cricket with his two big brothers.

From BBC

Talya is hoping to earn some bragging rights from big brother and add her own ring.

From Los Angeles Times

She made a three from the baseline, just like her big brother used to do.

From Los Angeles Times

Ever since I’d been born, he had been there for me, my big brother.

From Literature