1
: short in duration, extent, or length
a brief meeting
briefness
noun
1
a
: an official letter or mandate (see mandate entry 1 sense 1)
b
: a specific instruction or responsibility
his brief was to strengthen the army
2
3
: an outline of an argument
especially, law
: a formal written presentation of an argument that sets forth the main points with supporting precedents and evidence
a legal brief
filed a brief
4
briefed; briefing; briefs
1
: to make an abstract or abridgment of
brief a report
summarized northeastern Siberian archaeology and has briefed many normally unavailable sources—
Wendell Oswalt
Wendell Oswalt2
a
: to give final precise instructions to
were briefed before their mission
b
: to coach thoroughly in advance
c
: to give essential information to
The president is being briefed by his advisors.
3
: to discuss (something, such as a military operation) in a briefing
briefed the mission
briefer
noun
Examples of brief in a Sentence
Adjective
The meeting will be brief.
The essay is brief but thorough enough.
a few brief words of caution
Noun
Her brief is to manage the company's sales department.
a one-page brief of the intelligence report
Verb
The captain briefed the crew on the new safety procedures.
The President has been briefed by his advisers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
In 2013, Erdogan worked with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on the brief peace process with the PKK.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
In its 41-page brief to the court, the administration argued that immigration policy decisions—such as whether to extend or terminate TPS—fall squarely within the authority of the executive branch.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Instead, the news agency reported Fetterman's demeanor quickly unraveled, citing individuals briefed on the meeting.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Adjective
Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
In 2013, Erdogan worked with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on the brief peace process with the PKK.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Noun
Consumer Watchdog wrote in its post-hearing brief that State Farm failed to prove that the increases were actuarially justified.
—Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
In its 41-page brief to the court, the administration argued that immigration policy decisions—such as whether to extend or terminate TPS—fall squarely within the authority of the executive branch.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Verb
However, Trump administration officials are trying to lower expectations about the potential outcomes of this weekend’s talks in Geneva, according to senior administration officials briefed on the plans.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Instead, the news agency reported Fetterman's demeanor quickly unraveled, citing individuals briefed on the meeting.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brief
Cite this Entry
“Brief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brief. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brief
2 of 3 noun1
: a brief statement of the case a lawyer will present in court
2
plural
: short snug underpants
brief
3 of 3 verb
: to give information or instructions to
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English bref, breve "short, brief," from early French brief, bref (same meaning), from Latin brevis "short" — related to breve
Noun
Middle English bref "formal letter," from early French bref (same meaning), derived from Latin brevis "summary," from earlier brevis (adjective) "short, brief"
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