British

noun

Brit·​ish ˈbri-tish 

1

a

: the Celtic language of the ancient Britons

b

: british english

2

plural in construction : the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations

British adjective

Britishism

ˈbri-ti-ˌshi-zəm 

noun

Britishness noun

Examples of British in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, in British Columbia, mining giant Teck Resources is already a leading producer of germanium outside of China. —Maddie Stone, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2025

Kristen Bell has a big reaction to finding out that her relative was living in America as a spy — for the British, no less! — following the Revolutionary War on a new episode of PBS series Finding Your Roots. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Some airlines, like British Airways and easyJet, even offer their own courses. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 14 Feb. 2025

Significant settlement followed in distinct waves: Black loyalists fleeing to the British Empire after the American Revolution; Jamaican Maroons, or former slaves, who resettled here; and refugees who fought in the War of 1812 for promises of freedom and land. —Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Bruttische of Britain, from Old English Brettisc, from Brettas Britons, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython Briton

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing British

• anti-British
• British English
• British Summer Time
• British thermal unit
• the British

Kids Definition

British

1 of 2 noun

Brit·​ish

ˈbrit-ish

1

plural British : the people of Great Britain or their descendants

2

: the English language as spoken in England

British

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the original people of Britain

2

a

: of or relating to Great Britain or the British

b

: English entry 1