brig

UK: /ˈbrɪg/ US: /brɪg/ ,(brig)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

brig /brɪg/   n. [countable]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms
   • a ship with two masts and square sails.
   • , Nautical, Naval Terms, Military [often: the + ~] the room or part of a ship where prisoners are kept:
     Take them to the brig and keep them there till we get to shore.
2. Military a prison;
   guardhouse.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

brig  (brig), n. 

1. [Naut.]
   • Naval Terms a two-masted vessel square-rigged on both masts.
   • Naval Terms (formerly, in the U.S. Navy) an armed brig-rigged or brigantine-rigged vessel.
   • Military the compartment of a ship where prisoners are confined.
2. Military a place of confinement or detention, esp. in the U.S. Navy or Marines;
   guardhouse.

• short for brigantine 1705–15

Brig., 

1. Military brigade.
2. Military brigadier.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brig / brɪɡ/ noun

1. a two-masted square-rigger
2. a prison, esp in a navy ship

Etymology: 18th Century: shortened from brigantine

brig / brɪɡ/ noun

1. a Scot and northern English word for a bridge1

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Brig. abbreviation

1. Brigadier