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

Julian might also want to help his big brother gain a few pounds at the dinner table.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

It feels highly significant that at this key moment in Arteta's managerial career, he turned to a figure who had performed the role of a big brother to him at PSG.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

When he tells stories he’s too young to remember, his sister enters the story to offer detail and, of course, remind us of how good her big brother is.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

So far, however, Abu Dhabi has largely remained silent, with Emirati professor of political science Abdulkhaleq Abdulla saying the UAE is "not in the habit of provoking our big brother".

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

“You’re an amazing big brother and the best son I could ever want.”

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist