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

This prompted a perplexing mystery for the British: How were the Germans so good at flying to their targets in the dead of night? —Justin Ling, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024

For example, London's notorious smog in the 19th century stemmed from coal combustion that powered the rise of the British Empire itself, while leaving a dark mark on public health and the environment. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

They were harvested in the following areas in British Columbia: 14-8, Landfile 1413888 14-8, Landfile 1402293 14-8, Landfile 1402060 14-8, Landfile 1402294 14-8, Landfile 1409454 14-8, Landfile 1409240 14-8, Landfile 1402193 14-15, Landfile 249854 What is norovirus? —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

The book contains images made when Ghana was still a colony known as the Gold Coast before gaining independence from the British in 1957. —Max Posner, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024

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