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O'Brien

American  
[oh-brahy-uhn] / oʊˈbraɪ ən /

noun

  1. Edna, born 1930, Irish novelist, short-story writer, and playwright.


O'Brien British  
/ əˈbraɪən /

noun

  1. Conor Cruise. 1917–2008, Irish diplomat and writer. As an Irish Labour MP he served in the coalition government of 1973–77, becoming a senator (1977–79). He edited the Observer (1978–81)

  2. Edna. born 1936, Irish novelist. Her books include The Country Girls (1960), Johnny I Hardly Knew You (1977), and In the Forest (2002)

  3. Flann, real name Brian O'Nolan. 1911–66, Irish novelist and journalist. His novels include At Swim-Two-Birds (1939) and the posthumously published The Third Policeman (1967). As Myles na Gopaleen he wrote a satirical column for the Irish Times

  4. Kerry. born 1945. Australian journalist and broadcaster

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In an episode of “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” O’Brien, dressed as Freud in a wig, fake beard and suit, visits the Freud Museum in Austria.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Co-owners Christopher O'Brien and Gary Sharp started out in construction before switching to running care homes around seven years ago.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Jimmy O'Brien burst forward before Dan Sheehan released Tommy O'Brien to dot down in the corner.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

But taking Kharg and holding onto it "are two different things", stressed Professor Phillips O'Brien of the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

O’Brien contended it was Thornton’s privilege to knock the runners loose, leaving Buck to “break it out” from a dead standstill.

From "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London