brigade

[bri-geyd]

noun

1. a military unit having its own headquarters and consisting of two or more regiments, squadrons, groups, or battalions.

2. a large body of troops.

3. Digital Technology.,  cybermob.

4. a group of individuals organized for a particular purpose: a rescue brigade.

   a fire brigade;

   a rescue brigade.

5. bucket brigade.

6. History/Historical.,  a convoy of canoes, sleds, wagons, or pack animals, especially as used to supply trappers in the 18th- and 19th-century Canadian and U.S. fur trade.

verb (used with object)

brigaded, brigading 

1. to form into a brigade.

2. to group together.

verb (used with or without object)

brigaded, brigading 

1. Digital Technology.,  to engage in online brigading.

brigade

/ brɪˈɡeɪd /

noun

1. a formation of fighting units, together with support arms and services, smaller than a division and usually commanded by a brigadier

2. a group of people organized for a certain task

   a rescue brigade

verb

1. to organize into a brigade

2. to put or group together

Other Word Forms

• interbrigade adjective
• subbrigade noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, from Old Italian brigata “company of soldiers,” originally “group, band,” equivalent to brig(are) probably “to associate (with), be together” (obsolete sense), probably of Celtic origin; brigand + -ata -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

C17: from Old French, from Old Italian, from brigare to fight, perhaps of Celtic origin; see _brigand

Example Sentences

"Due to the large amount of smoke being produced by the fire, residents in the local area should keep doors and windows closed as crews respond," the brigade posted on X.

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The department later clarified the statement, saying the change only applies to individuals in the Santa Monica Mountains’ community brigade who have received significant training from the department and operate under the department’s command.

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A single unit of the 5th brigade can carry out several logistical missions with UGVs in one day.

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The UN, which runs COP climate meetings, said the fire brigade is checking the venue to assess safety and that the summit has been temporarily taken over by Brazilian authorities.

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The job of closing those massive gates fell to fire brigades.

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