brigadier general: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, official, military, historical
Quick answer
What does “brigadier general” mean?
A senior military rank in many armed forces, typically above a colonel and below a major general. In the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, it is a one-star general officer rank.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A senior military rank in many armed forces, typically above a colonel and below a major general. In the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, it is a one-star general officer rank.
The term can also refer to a person holding this rank or, by extension, someone with a commanding, authoritative presence in a non-military context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Crucial difference: In the UK and Commonwealth, 'brigadier' is the rank (equivalent to a US brigadier general). The UK does not use the term 'brigadier general' for its active military ranks, though it appears in historical contexts or certain honorary titles. The US uses 'brigadier general' (one-star) as a standard general officer rank.
Connotations
US: Standard modern military rank. UK/Commonwealth: Largely historical or honorary; the modern equivalent is 'brigadier'. Using 'brigadier general' in a UK context might sound archaic or specifically American.
Frequency
High frequency in US military and governmental contexts. Very low frequency in modern UK usage, except in historical writing or references to the US military.
Grammar
How to Use “brigadier general” in a Sentence
Brigadier General + [Surname] (e.g., Brigadier General Smith)to be appointed (as) a brigadier generalto hold the rank of brigadier generalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brigadier general” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used attributively as a standard adjective.
American English
- The brigadier general rank is the first step into the general officer corps.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'He ran the department like a brigadier general,' implying strict, top-down authority.
Academic
In military history, political science (civil-military relations), or biographical texts.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation unless discussing military affairs.
Technical
Standard terminology in US military doctrine, organizational charts, and personnel management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brigadier general”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brigadier general”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brigadier general”
- Using 'brigadier general' when referring to a modern British officer (use 'brigadier').
- Incorrect plural: 'brigadier generals' (correct), not 'brigadiers general'.
- Misspelling as 'brigadere general' or 'brigadire general'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are considered equivalent ranks, despite the difference in title. Both are typically the most junior general officer/flag officer rank in their respective systems.
In the US, the common abbreviation is 'BG' in the Army and 'Brig Gen' in the Air Force. It is written before the surname, e.g., BG (Brig Gen) Sarah Jones.
No. The equivalent one-star rank in the US Navy and Coast Guard is 'rear admiral (lower half)'. The term is specific to army, air force, and marine corps.
The UK simplified its rank structure in the 1920s, dropping 'general' from 'brigadier general' and making 'brigadier' a distinct rank. The US retained the older, more descriptive compound title.
A senior military rank in many armed forces, typically above a colonel and below a major general. In the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, it is a one-star general officer rank.
Brigadier general is usually formal, official, military, historical in register.
Brigadier general: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪɡ.əˌdɪə ˈdʒen.ər.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪɡ.əˌdɪr ˈdʒen.ər.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A brigadier general's view (a broad, strategic perspective)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a 'brigade' is a military unit; its leader is a 'general' for that brigade → BRIGADEier GENERAL.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS RANK (military ranks structure abstract concepts of authority and responsibility).
Practice
Quiz
In which military is 'brigadier general' a standard, current rank?