brig

[ brig ]

See synonyms for brig on Thesaurus.com

noun

Nautical.
- a two-masted vessel square-rigged on both masts.
- (formerly, in the U.S. Navy) an armed brig-rigged or brigantine-rigged vessel.
- the compartment of a ship where prisoners are confined.
a place of confinement or detention, especially in the U.S. Navy or Marines; guardhouse.

Origin of brig

First recorded in 1705–15; short for brigantine

Other definitions for Brig. (2 of 2)

Brig.

abbreviation

brigade.
brigadier.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use brig in a sentence

Prior to that, Manning was held in pretrial confinement at Marine Corp Base Quantico brig for nine months.
Bradley Manning: ‘I Will Recover From This ... This Is Just a Stage in My Life’ | Alexa O'Brien | August 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Manning was forced to strip and remain on a suicide-risk regime against the recommendations of brig mental-health professionals.
Bradley Manning: ‘I Will Recover From This ... This Is Just a Stage in My Life’ | Alexa O'Brien | August 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Among them was brig. Gen. Tammy Smith, the first openly gay person promoted to the rank of general in the U.S. military.
DOMA Struck Down: A Gay Warrior’s Joyful Day | Eleanor Clift | June 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her former commanding officer, brig. Gen. Jack Stultz, gave the introductory remarks.
Message to Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan: America’s Greater Than Ever | Michael Daly | August 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I think the trial is a good thing because they killed many people,” said Army brig. Gen. Sek Seng.
Show Trials Bring Cambodia Delayed Justice, but Where’s the Outrage? | Lennox Samuels | November 30, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST

Dangerous situation of the brig among the islands of Buccaneer's Archipelago.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
At eight o'clock the natives came down as usual and were much disappointed in finding the brig moved from her former place.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
After which, entering a current setting at one mile an hour to the westward, the brig made considerable progress.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
One or two stopped to notice us and flew round the brig several times.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
I suppose, however, it is true; or he would not still be living on board that dirty little brig in which we arrived.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria Graham

British Dictionary definitions for brig (1 of 3)

brig¹

/ (brɪɡ) /

noun

nautical a two-masted square-rigger
mainly US a prison, esp in a navy ship

Origin of brig

C18: shortened from brigantine

British Dictionary definitions for brig (2 of 3)

brig²

/ (brɪɡ) /

noun

a Scot and northern English word for a bridge 1

British Dictionary definitions for Brig. (3 of 3)

Brig.

abbreviation for

Brigadier

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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