First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1brick
noun, often attributive \ˈbrik\
: a small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures (such as houses) and sometimes to make streets, paths, etc.
: blocks of baked clay used as building material
: a block of something
Full Definition of BRICK
1
plural bricks or brick : a handy-sized unit of building or paving material typically being rectangular and about 21⁄4 × 33⁄4 × 8 inches (57 × 95 × 203 millimeters) and of moist clay hardened by heat
2
: a good-hearted person
3
: a rectangular compressed mass (as of ice cream)
4
: a semisoft cheese with numerous small holes, smooth texture, and often mild flavor
6
: a badly missed shot in basketball <he threw up a brick>
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Origin of BRICK
Middle English bryke, from Middle Dutch bricke
Related to BRICK
2brick
verb
Definition of BRICK
transitive verb
1
: to close, face, or pave with bricks —usually used with up, in, or over
2
: to render (an electronic device, such as a smartphone) nonfunctional (as by accidental damage, malicious hacking, or software changes)
See brick defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRICK
1592
BRICK Defined for Kids
1brick
noun \ˈbrik\
Definition of BRICK for Kids
1
: a building or paving material made from clay molded into blocks and baked
2
: a block made of brick
2brick
verb
brickedbrick·ing
Definition of BRICK for Kids
: to close, face, or pave with bricks
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