brotherhood

[ bruhth-er-hood ]

noun

1. the condition or quality of being a brother or brothers.
2. the quality of being brotherly; fellowship.
3. a fraternal or trade organization.
4. all those engaged in a particular trade or profession or sharing a common interest or quality.
5. the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in nationality, creed, ethnicity, etc.

brotherhood

/ ˈbrʌðəˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being related as a brother or brothers
2. an association or fellowship, such as a trade union
3. all persons engaged in a particular profession, trade, etc
4. the belief, feeling, or hope that all people should regard and treat one another as equals

Word History and Origins

Origin of brotherhood¹

1250–1300; Middle English brithirhod ( brother, -hood ); replacing early Middle English brotherhede; -head

Example Sentences

They had the same egalitarian brotherhood of shared burdens and first names.

From Popular-Science

I achieved that unusual spirit of brotherhood with one Hindu man in particular.

From Washington Blade

Although we have been friends for a short time, a single meeting was enough to solidify this brotherhood for which I will be eternally grateful.

From Washington Blade

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has voted to formalize a resolution to support, fund and supply resources to employees of Amazon in their unionization efforts.

From Washington Post

As for the organization of these brotherhoods, the Templars and Hospitallers basically mirrored the institutions of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with its command structure dominated by titles like senechal and marechal.

From Realm of History

The Perfect Storm writer talks combat brotherhood and the threat posed by growing wealth inequality.

From The Daily Beast

First the Muslim Brotherhood came to power only to be ousted by the Egyptian military.

From The Daily Beast

The bonds of Phi Kappa Psi brotherhood were too strong to break.

From The Daily Beast

The Egyptian government claims the group has links with the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

From The Daily Beast

In the wake of the coup, Muslim Brotherhood leaders were targeted for arrest.

From The Daily Beast

It remained for Man to take the grand step of embracing all humanity as one brotherhood and one nation.

From Project Gutenberg

M. de Boisfrelon had been one of the "Brotherhood of Consolation."

From Project Gutenberg

She complained that a canting waterman who was one of the brotherhood had held forth against her at a meeting.

From Project Gutenberg

Iftikhar leaned, as he rode, and half whispered to Richard, "Do you know the brotherhood of the Ismaelians?"

From Project Gutenberg

Caste destroyed all ideas of human brotherhood; it robbed the soul of its affections and its aspirations.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fraternity
• guild
• partnership