brigade

American  

[bri-geyd] / brɪˈgeɪd /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to organize into a brigade

2. to put or group together

Other Word Forms

• interbrigade adjective
• subbrigade noun

Etymology

Origin of brigade

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

Explanation

A brigade is a unit of the army. A bunch of brigades make up a division, while brigades are divided into battalions and regiments. The military is nothing if not organized, and one of the forms of organization is the brigade. A brigade is smaller than a division, but larger than a battalion or regiment, several of which make up a brigade. A colonel or brigadier general will command a brigade, which consists of several units, including one at headquarters, one infantry unit, plus support staff. Soldiers in the same brigade will work together closely. Veterans will remember their brigade comrades.

Example Sentences

"Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, lost his life," Kaga local government chairman, Zannah Lawan Ajimi told AFP on the phone.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

By the time of my visit, that brigade had put about 100 soldiers through a monthlong course focused on electronic warfare, the use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes, countering drones and tactics, says Maj.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“It’s déjà vu all over again,” said Mansoor, who was a brigade commander in Iraq shortly after the 2003 invasion and later a top aide to Gen. David Petraeus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

The fire brigade in Dresden says this is the city's largest evacuation to date for such an incident, affecting around 18,000 residents, tourists and commuters.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

‘Sure he’s got to go,’ Johnny comforted Madge; ‘but people say Gage is just sending out the brigade for exercise. They’ve been sitting about barracks catching fleas all winter. Why were the marines late?’

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes