Meaning & use
brethren
An archaic or formal plural of 'brother,' used especially for members of a religious or fraternal group.
See it in a sentence
The preacher addressed his brethren before beginning the Sunday service.
Members of the lodge referred to one another affectionately as brethren.
A note on using this word
Brethren survives mainly in religious, ceremonial, or historical contexts; everyday modern English uses 'brothers' instead.
Words with a similar meaning
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