Briton

noun

Brit·​on ˈbri-tᵊn How to pronounce Briton (audio)
1
: a member of one of the peoples inhabiting Britain prior to the Anglo-Saxon invasions
2
: a native or subject of Great Britain
especially : englishman

Examples of Briton in a Sentence

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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 Italian team last constructors’ title came a year later, incidentally when the Briton secured his first world crown in an exhilarating finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix, pipping local hero Felipe Massa to the championship by the barest of margins. — Dan Cancian, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 The Briton will split duties over the three-day test with teammate Charles Leclerc before making his first race start as a Ferrari driver on March 16 in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. — Luke Smith, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Breton, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin Britton-, Britto, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Briton was in the 13th century

Rhymes for Briton

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Briton
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“Briton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Briton. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Briton

noun
Brit·​on ˈbrit-ən How to pronounce Briton (audio)
1
: a member of one of the peoples living in Britain before the Anglo-Saxon invasions
2
: britisher

More from Merriam-Webster on Briton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Briton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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