Brief meaning

brēf
A brief is defined as a short written or spoken statement or a statement of the main points of a legal case.

An example of brief is a five minute news segment covering a short announcement by the president.

An example of brief is a paper that explains why a person is guilty of a crime.

noun
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A short, succinct statement.
noun
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Succinct; concise.

A brief account of the incident.

adjective
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The definition of brief is short in length or lasting for only a short time.

An example of brief is a one page paper.

adjective
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To give instructions or preparatory information to.

Briefed the astronauts before the mission.

verb
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Short in time, duration, length, or extent.
adjective
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Curt; abrupt.

We were upset because he was so brief with us.

adjective
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A document concisely stating the legal points being made, including often the citation and explanation of supporting legal authority.
noun
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A papal letter that is not as formal as a bull.
noun
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A briefing.
noun
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Short, tight-fitting underpants.
noun
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The instructions that are given to explain a task or assignment.
noun
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To summarize.
verb
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Of short duration or extent.
adjective
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Short in length.
adjective
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Using relatively few words; concise.
adjective
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Curt or abrupt.
adjective
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A summary or abstract.
noun
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A concise statement of the main points of a law case, usually filed by counsel for the information of the court.
noun
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A set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities.
noun
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An early text editor for DOS programming from Borland. It provided automatic indentation and the ability to edit different parts of a source program at the same time.
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A papal letter less formal than a bull.
noun
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To make a summary of.
verb
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To supply with all the pertinent instructions or information.

To brief pilots before a flight.

verb
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A written statement prepared by a lawyer and submitted to the court that outlines the pertinent facts of the case, the questions of law to be decided, the position of the lawyer’s client as to those questions, and the legal arguments and authorities (for example, statutes and appellate court decisions) that support that position. See also memorandum.
noun
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The brief submitted by an amicus curiae. Also called brief amicus curiae.
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A brief submitted when the case is on appeal.
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A brief that responds to the arguments previously raised in an opponent’s brief.
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A brief usually submitted just before a trial.
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Of short duration; happening quickly. [from 15th c.]

Her reign was brief but spectacular.

adjective
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Concise; taking few words. [from 15th c.]

His speech of acceptance was brief but moving.

adjective
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Occupying a small distance, area or spatial extent; short. [from 17th c.]

Her skirt was extremely brief but doubtless cool.

adjective
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(law) A writ summoning one to answer to any action.
noun
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(law) An answer to any action.
noun
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(law) A memorandum of points of fact or of law for use in conducting a case.
noun
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(law) An attorney's legal argument in written form for submission to a court.
noun
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(English law) The material relevant to a case, delivered by a solicitor to the barrister who tries the case.
noun
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(informal) A short news story or report.
noun
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Overbury.

Each woman is a brief of womankind.

noun
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(UK, historical) A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
noun
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To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.

The U.S. president was briefed on the military coup and its implications on African stability.

verb
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(law) To write a legal argument and submit it to a court.
verb
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(obsolete, poetic) Briefly.
adverb
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(obsolete, poetic) Soon; quickly.

adverb
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A condensation or an abstract of a larger document or series of documents.
noun
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in brief
  • In short.
idiom
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hold a brief for
  • To argue for or be in favor of.
idiom
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in brief
  • In short; in a few words.
idiom
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Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

hold a brief for

Origin of brief

  • Middle English bref from Old French from Latin brevis N., Middle English bref written communication from Old French from Medieval Latin breve from Latin neuter of brevis short mregh-u- in Indo-European roots
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Old French brief, from Latin brevis (“short”). Compare French bref.
    From Wiktionary

Brief Sentence Examples

  • There was a brief pause.

  • He paused for a brief flurry of clapping.

  • She wrapped her arms around her knees and closed her eyes for a brief rest.

  • His expression revealed surprise for a brief moment, and then his eyes flashed with anger.

  • Gabriel growled at her, the brief touch enough to stir desire.

More sentences →

Also Mentioned In

Words near brief in the Dictionary