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

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, 2.5 million plants and 880,000 trees were planted by 2021. —Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025

The North American leg begins on September 26, in Woodstock, New York, and brings her to cities big and small across the United States, with a stop in British Columbia, too. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 July 2025

Nick Scott, a co-author of the study published this month in the British Medical Journal — Global Health, says the results were exciting: A 60% reduction in cases and deaths from outbreaks because of the stockpile. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 21 July 2025

In a speech at a reception hosted by the British Embassy and Angolan ministers, Harry praised Angolan President João Lourenço for his commitment to the important cause. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 July 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

Rhymes for British

• skittish

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