brigadier general

American  

noun

U.S. Army.

plural

brigadier generals

1. an officer of the rank between colonel and major general.

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brigadier general British  

noun

1. an officer of the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds a rank junior to a major general but senior to a colonel, usually commanding a brigade

2. the former name for a brigadier

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Etymology

Origin of brigadier general

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

"It shows that America is seriously coming to the table," said Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Retired US brigadier general Houston Cantwell, who has 400 hours of combat flight experience, said a pilot's training would likely kick in before he or she parachutes to the ground.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Army brigadier general who held senior roles in the Defense and State Departments under previous administrations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

As a result, Finerty was demoted to brigadier general.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2025

George Washington resigned from the militia with the honorary rank of brigadier general and returned home to Mount Vernon.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen