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

London kept control of the archipelago and renamed it as the British Indian Ocean Territory. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 22 May 2025

Leading the way was freshman Cooper Humphreys, who followed a 75 and a 74 with a team-leading 69 for a three-round total of 218 that put the British Coulmbia native in a tie for 21st. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025

Representatives from the four western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia have had numerous discussions on future plans for that Party. —Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Once the site of a residence for admirals in the British Royal Navy, the park includes Clarence Cove, where a favorite locals’ activity is to jump from the jagged cliffs above the quiet beach into a sparklingly blue lagoon. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 22 May 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