n.
- An older brother.
- A man who assumes the role of an older brother, as by providing guidance or protection.
- also Big Brother An omnipresent, seemingly benevolent figure representing the oppressive control over individual lives exerted by an authoritarian government.
- A state, organization, or leader regarded in this manner.
[Sense 3, after Big Brother, a character in the novel 1984 by George Orwell.]
bigbrotherly big'-broth'er·ly (bĭg'brŭTH'ər-lē) adj. & adv.


