brig Definition
a two-masted square-rigged ship, typically having a ship-of-war's hull and used for piracy or slaving.
Using brig: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brig" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The pirates captured a brig off the coast of Somalia.
Example
The British navy used brigs to transport prisoners during the Revolutionary War.
Example
The slave trade was conducted on brigs that sailed from Africa to the Americas.
brig Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for brig
- pirate ship
- slaver
- ship-of-war
Phrases with brig
Example
The brig of war was used to protect merchant ships from pirate attacks.
a two-masted sailing ship, with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast
Example
The brigantine was popular in the Mediterranean for its speed and maneuverability.
a member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests and mountains
Example
The brigands terrorized travelers on the mountain roads.
Origins of brig
from Old French 'brigantin', from Italian 'brigantino', from 'brigante' meaning 'brigand'
Summary: brig in Brief
A 'brig' [brɪɡ] is a two-masted square-rigged ship, often used for piracy or slaving. It has a ship-of-war's hull and is known for its speed and maneuverability. Examples include 'The pirates captured a brig off the coast of Somalia.' and 'The slave trade was conducted on brigs that sailed from Africa to the Americas.'
