brig

[ brig ]

/ brɪg /

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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.

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Origin of brig

First recorded in 1705–15; short for brigantine

Words nearby brig

Brienz, brier, brierroot, brierwood, Brieux, brig, brigade, brigadier, brigadier general, brigalow, brigand

Other definitions for brig (2 of 2)

Brig.

abbreviation

brigade.

brigadier.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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|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|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|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|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|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

Word Origin for 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

brig

Origin of brig

Words nearby brig

Other definitions for brig (2 of 2)

Words related to brig

How to use brig in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brig (1 of 3)

Word Origin for brig

British Dictionary definitions for brig (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for brig (3 of 3)