Definition

A type of jail or prison, especially on a military ship, where offenders are temporarily held.

Example

The sailor was sent to the brig for disobeying orders.

Conversation

Did you hear about the sailor who ended up in the brig?

No way! What did he do to get in there?

Apparently, he got into a fight during liberty hours.

That's wild! I didn't think they'd put someone in the brig for that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Brig originates from Middle English 'brigge', which comes from Old English 'brycg', meaning a bridge. The word refers to a type of vessel that is typically two-masted and has a square rig on the foremast and a fore-and-aft rig on the mainmast, metaphorically suggesting a connection or passage over water, similar to a bridge over land.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bridge' ('brycg') that connects two sides, just like a brig connects different points on the water.

Visually Confused Words