Britain

[ brit-n ]

/ ˈbrɪt n /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for Britain on Thesaurus.com

noun

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Britain

Britain , Briton

Words nearby Britain

Bristol Channel, Bristol fashion, bristols, Bristow, brit, Britain, Britain, Battle of, Britannia, Britannia coin, Britannia metal, Britannic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Britain in a sentence

Naked Wines, established in Britain in 2008 and launched in the United States in 2013, has an innovative model similar to crowdfunding.
Online wine sales continue to grow, but can they — or should they — replace local shops?|Dave McIntyre|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
In the 19th century, however, Iran had the misfortune of being a pawn in the Great Game as Russia and Britain eyed its oil and warm-water ports.
America and Iran, from fascination to antagonism|Ray Takeyh|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
During the Revolutionary War, the committee sent diplomat-spies to Paris to negotiate an alliance with France and conduct intelligence operations against Britain.
Mixing diplomacy and spying would be poor strategy for U.S.|Jeff Rogg|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
The ruling could have major implications for the gig economy in Britain writ large.
U.K. Supreme Court rules Uber drivers are "workers," not independent contractors|Axios|February 19, 2021|Axios

The campus is also dealing with a variant of the virus first identified in Britain, but officials have not yet said how many cases are tied to the new strain.
U-Va. officials blame widespread noncompliance of guidelines for recent surge in coronavirus cases|Lauren Lumpkin|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
A spokesman for Lewisham council said last year that it would be forced to act if the family returned to Britain.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis|Nico Hines|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He cited Britain, the United States, and France as possible lenders.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It dates to 1740s Britain and of course was written originally in Latin (“Adeste Fideles”).
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although a hit in Britain, the movie flopped after opening at Radio City in New York.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Isaacs grew up in Britain, first Liverpool, then London, during a period of economic turmoil and conservative revival.
After The Fall: Introducing The Anti-Villain|Rich Goldstein|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hence it was that he found in Great Britain an implacable enemy ever stirring up against him European coalitions.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Truly the flag of Britain was trailing in the mire, or these men would not have dared to address him in that fashion.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
As regards Great Britain, the gold standard is yet preserved for all practical purposes.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Spencer Perceval, prime minister of Great Britain, shot in the lobby of the house of commons.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Great Britain is full of wealth, not entirely but mainly because her people are constantly producing.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for Britain

Britain

/ (ˈbrɪtən) /

noun

another name for Great Britain, United Kingdom

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

Cultural definitions for Britain

Britain

Officially the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, located on the British Isles off the western coast of the mainland (continent) of Europe. It comprises England, Wales, and Scotland on the island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland on the island of Ireland. Its capital and largest city is London.

notes for Britain

Britain declared war on Germany in 1939. Allied with the United States and the Soviet Union, the British, under the leadership of Winston Churchill, played an important role in defeating Germany.

notes for Britain

Most of the settlers of the American colonies were British. The colonies remained under the British crown until the American Revolutionary War.

notes for Britain

It is one of the world's leading industrialized nations.

notes for Britain

A constitutional monarchy, Britain's government calls for the hereditary king or queen to perform mostly ceremonial functions. Parliament governs the country.

notes for Britain

At the height of its imperial power in the late nineteenth century, Britain boasted colonies and possessions around the globe. (See British Empire.)