brotherhood

noun

broth·​er·​hood ˈbrə-t͟hər-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the quality or state of being brothers

2

: fellowship, alliance

3

: an association (such as a labor union or monastic society) for a particular purpose

4

: the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession

Synonyms

• association
• board
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• guild
• gild
• institute
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

Examples of brotherhood in a Sentence

they're a brotherhood of retired war veterans

a family that has been part of the brotherhood of police officers for four generations

Recent Examples on the Web

Rio Hondo, win or lose, is a brotherhood, Carson said. —Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

As a youngster, to be a part of a brotherhood, especially as an only child, was special to me. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024

Aris’ supernatural romance follows a Beirut couple brought together and torn apart by cosmic forces, while Hadid’s doc is the middle part of a triptych that follows a traveling brotherhood of horsemen across Morocco. —Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

To me, America meant Walt Whitman, the land of new rhythm, the coming brotherhood of the whole world. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English brotherhede, brotherhod, alteration of brotherrede, from Old English brōthorrǣden, from brōthor + rǣden condition — more at kindred entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

brotherhood

noun

broth·​er·​hood ˈbrət͟h-ər-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the state of being brothers or a brother

2

: an association of people for a particular purpose

3

: the persons engaged in the same business or profession