brigadier general

noun

: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a colonel and whose insignia is one star

Examples of brigadier general in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The outlet published the names of the deceased, which reportedly include two brigadier generals, seven colonels, and three lieutenant colonels. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 Recognizing her role as the first American woman to oversee military action during wartime, Maryland’s National Guard posthumously awarded Tubman the rank of one-star brigadier general on Veterans Day last year. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 Michel Dreyfus, whose great-grandfather Alfred was falsely convicted of espionage charges in France more than 130 years ago, said his family is happy with the National Assembly's vote to posthumously promote the army captain to brigadier general. Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025 Fun fact: Harriet Tubman's military service In 2024, the Maryland National Guard recognized Tubman as a one-star brigadier general to honor her contributions to the Union Army. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brigadier general

Word History

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brigadier general was in 1690

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Cite this Entry

“Brigadier general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brigadier%20general. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

brigadier general

noun
brig·​a·​dier general
ˌbrig-ə-ˈdi(ə)r-
: a military commissioned officer with a rank just below major general

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