# brigade

/bɹəˈɡeɪd/ (US) · /bɹɪɡˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brigade
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. military unit

noun · CEFR B2

a large group of soldiers that is part of an army.

For teachers: a tactical military formation typically consisting of three to six battalions and its supporting elements.

- The general ordered the infantry brigade to move toward the border.
- The armored brigade was deployed to the eastern front to reinforce the existing defensive positions against the anticipated offensive.

### 2. organized group

noun · CEFR B2

a group of people organized for a specific job or goal.

For teachers: an organized body of people dedicated to a particular purpose or task.

- The local fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the forest fire.
- A volunteer brigade spent the weekend clearing debris from the park after the heavy storm.

### 3. disapproving group

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a group of people who share the same strong opinion, often used when you disagree with them.

For teachers: a group of people sharing a specific characteristic or set of views, often used with a derogatory or dismissive tone.

- The anti-technology brigade is always complaining about new gadgets.
- The 'back-to-basics' brigade frequently criticizes modern educational methods without considering the benefits of digital literacy.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used with a specific adjective to mock a group, such as 'the PC brigade' or 'the exercise brigade'.

### 4. online harassment

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang

to join a group to attack or harass someone online.

For teachers: to engage in coordinated online harassment or to manipulate voting systems on social media platforms.

- The forum was brigaded by hundreds of angry users after the controversial post.
- Moderators struggled to manage the thread after it was brigaded by an antagonistic community from another platform.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice.

## Examples

- The general ordered the brigade to move toward the border.
- The local fire brigade arrived within minutes to help the family escape the burning building.
- While the infantry brigade prepared for the upcoming exercises, a vocal brigade of protesters gathered outside the base gates to voice their opposition to the military presence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.