brigade

[bri-geyd]

noun

1. a military unit having its own headquarters and consisting of two or more regiments, squadrons, groups, or battalions.

2. a large body of troops.

3. Digital Technology.,  cybermob.

4. a group of individuals organized for a particular purpose: a rescue brigade.

   a fire brigade;

   a rescue brigade.

5. bucket brigade.

6. History/Historical.,  a convoy of canoes, sleds, wagons, or pack animals, especially as used to supply trappers in the 18th- and 19th-century Canadian and U.S. fur trade.

verb (used with object)

brigaded, brigading 

1. to form into a brigade.

2. to group together.

verb (used with or without object)

brigaded, brigading 

1. Digital Technology.,  to engage in online brigading.

brigade

/ brɪˈɡeɪd /

noun

1. a formation of fighting units, together with support arms and services, smaller than a division and usually commanded by a brigadier

2. a group of people organized for a certain task

   a rescue brigade

verb

1. to organize into a brigade

2. to put or group together

Other Word Forms

• interbrigade adjective
• subbrigade noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, from Old Italian brigata “company of soldiers,” originally “group, band,” equivalent to brig(are) probably “to associate (with), be together” (obsolete sense), probably of Celtic origin; brigand + -ata -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brigade¹

C17: from Old French, from Old Italian, from brigare to fight, perhaps of Celtic origin; see _brigand

Example Sentences

The five people who were hospitalised were rescued from the building by fire crews, with about nine others being able to get out of the building before the brigade arrived.

From BBC

In addition to drones, the brigade has introduced off-road vehicles capable of reaching fires in difficult terrain, such as heathland and grassland.

From BBC

To get more Israelis into uniform, brigades in the West Bank have formed regional defence units made up of settlers.

From BBC

Instead, guests were encouraged to donate to groups such as the local fire brigade and animal welfare organisations.

From BBC

Belgian police say they have questioned two Israelis after two pro-Palestinian groups alleged they had been waving flags from their army brigade at the Tomorrowland music festival.

From BBC