bring on
Britishverb
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to induce or cause
these pills will bring on labour
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slang to cause sexual excitement in; stimulate
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Cause to happen, produce, as in His cold brought on an asthma attack . This usage was first recorded in John Milton's Samson Agonistes (1671): “These evils . . . I myself have brought them on.” Also see bring about .
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Cause to appear or bring into action, as in Bring on the jugglers . [Mid-1800s]
Usage
The second sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use
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.
“The first is just how quickly can they bring on terrestrial compute. It does seem likely that they monetize gigawatts at a higher rate than anyone else,” he said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026
Airlines are limiting the number of chargers passengers can bring on board.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
The role had her connected with the coaching team via an earpiece to bring on valuable information to the team.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
Development Finance Corporation, which supports the government’s international development efforts, will continue to reinsure the program while working to bring on other partners “in the coming days,” the DFC said External link.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
“What did I bring on those poor, innocent people? How could I have done big magic? And so carelessly!”
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
