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

"I will die there," Evans Kibet says, waving his hands in the air towards the unseen interviewer on the video released on Wednesday by a Ukrainian army brigade.

From BBC

"It's big enough for big limousines but you couldn't get a brigade of guards walking up and things. It's not like the Mall."

From BBC

The Netherlands and Czech Republic have already said they would send defences to Poland, while Lithuania will receive a German brigade and greater warning of Russian attacks on Ukraine that could cross over.

From BBC

People from poor families are recruited into "shock brigades" to complete physically demanding tasks, such as construction or mining projects.

From BBC

Now he works as a volunteer for Bon Ukraine, which donates military equipment for brigades on the front line.

From BBC