brigade

bri-gade · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A military unit typically consisting of several battalions.

  2. 2.

    An organized group of people with a common purpose.

  3. 3.

    (informal, often humorous) A group of people with a shared characteristic or interest.

Forms

plural: brigades

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fire brigade — a group of firefighters
  • •
    bucket brigade — a line of people passing buckets of water

Related words

See also: battalion, brigadier, regiment
Synonyms: corps, division, squad, unit

Etymology

From French "brigade," from Italian "brigata" meaning troop or company, from "brigare" (to fight, brawl), related to "briga" (strife).