christian brothers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to Medium (Region-dependent)Formal, Proper Noun, Historical, Religious
Quick answer
What does “christian brothers” mean?
A Catholic religious congregation of lay brothers founded in 1802 by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, primarily dedicated to education.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Catholic religious congregation of lay brothers founded in 1802 by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, primarily dedicated to education.
The term is also used to refer to the members of this congregation and the network of schools, colleges, and universities they have founded worldwide. In a non-proper noun sense, it can be used informally to refer to a group of Christian men in a fraternal relationship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK/Ireland, it is strongly associated with the specific Irish-founded congregation and its schools. In the US, the term may be used more broadly for any group of Christian men in a church context, as well as for the specific religious order active in American Catholic education.
Connotations
In Ireland/UK, historical connotations are complex, often associated with strict discipline in historic Catholic education. In the US, connotations are more neutral or positive, focusing on religious service and education.
Frequency
More frequent in countries with a strong historical presence of the order (e.g., Ireland, UK, Australia). In the US, familiarity is higher in Catholic communities and certain regions.
Grammar
How to Use “christian brothers” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + verb (e.g., founded, run, taught)Attributive + [Proper Noun] + noun (e.g., a Christian Brothers school)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christian brothers” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He attended a Christian Brothers school in Dublin.
American English
- The wine is produced by the Christian Brothers community in California.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, and educational studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing Catholic schooling or one's educational background.
Technical
Used in Catholic ecclesiology and histories of religious orders.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “christian brothers”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “christian brothers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christian brothers”
- Uncapitalized use ('christian brothers') when referring to the specific order.
- Using a singular 'brother' when referring to the collective organization.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are primarily lay brothers, not ordained priests, though some members may be ordained.
Yes, when referring to the specific religious congregation. In a general descriptive sense (e.g., 'a group of christian brothers'), it is not.
They are distinct Catholic religious teaching orders founded by different individuals (Edmund Rice vs. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle) in different countries and eras.
Yes, 'Christian Brothers' is also a brand of brandy and fortified wines, originally founded by the order but now a separate commercial entity.
A Catholic religious congregation of lay brothers founded in 1802 by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, primarily dedicated to education.
Christian brothers is usually formal, proper noun, historical, religious in register.
Christian brothers: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən ˈbrʌðəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən ˈbrʌðɚz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As thick as thieves, like Christian Brothers (rare, archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHRISTIAN = faith, BROTHERS = family. A 'family of faith' dedicated to teaching.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A FAMILY (brotherhood).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary mission of the Christian Brothers as an organization?