Definition

1. Noun:

   • A military unit: A brigade is a military formation, typically composed of several battalions, regiments, or squadrons, and is smaller than a division. It is a fundamental tactical and administrative army unit.
   • An organized group: A brigade can also refer to any organized group of people formed for a specific task or purpose, often implying coordinated action.

2. Verb:

   • To form into a brigade: To organize or unite people or things into a single, coordinated group, similar to a military brigade.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Military):

  • The infantry brigade was deployed to the front lines.
  • He served as a commander of an armored brigade.

• Noun (Organized Group):

  • The clean-up brigade worked tirelessly after the storm.
  • She joined the volunteer fire brigade in her town.

• Verb:

  • The protesters were brigaded together to march on the capital.
  • We need to brigade our resources to tackle this project effectively.

Advanced Usage

• "To brigade" in online contexts: In modern, often informal usage (especially online), "to brigade" can mean to coordinate a group to take mass action on a website or social media platform, such as downvoting posts or flooding a comments section. This usage carries a negative connotation.
  • The subreddit's moderators warned users not to brigade the linked article with negative comments.

Variants and Related Words

• Brigadier (n): A military officer, typically commanding a brigade and ranking above a colonel.
  • The brigadier general addressed the troops.

Synonyms

• Noun (Military): Unit, contingent, force, detachment.
• Noun (Group): Team, squad, crew, corps, band.
• Verb: Organize, marshal, mobilize, assemble, unite.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• Brigade together: To come together or be brought together as a coordinated group.
  • The community brigaded together to support the local food bank.

Related Idioms

• "A bucket brigade": Refers to a human chain formed to pass buckets of water to fight a fire, historically before modern fire engines. It is used metaphorically for any cooperative effort where items are passed along a line of people.
  • We formed a bucket brigade to move the supplies from the truck to the warehouse.

Noun

1. army unit smaller than a division

Verb

1. form or unite into a brigade