1 brook | Definition of brook

brook

noun
\ ˈbru̇k How to pronounce brook (audio) \

Definition of brook

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: creek sense 1 a babbling brook

brook

verb
brooked; brooking; brooks

Definition of brook (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to stand for : tolerate he would brook no interference with his plans

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Synonyms for brook

Synonyms: Noun

beck [British], bourn (or bourne), brooklet, burn [British], creek, gill [British], rill, rivulet, run [chiefly Midland], runlet, runnel, streamlet

Synonyms: Verb

abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide [chiefly dialect], countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear [British]

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Examples of brook in a Sentence

Noun

there are tiny fish and frogs in that brook

Verb

I will not brook insults from my own employees.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Along the brook that trickled toward the meadow, our group shined our flashlights, looking for the glimmer of bullfrog eyes. Vanessa Hua, SFChronicle.com, "Tastes like trout?," 4 Sep. 2019 Both projects retell the story of a character best remembered for going mad and then drowning herself in a brook. Emily Rome, latimes.com, "Shakespeare’s Ophelia gets bold new makeovers in a film and a video game," 6 July 2019 The 10-foot-wide paved path with blue stone shoulders would run along the brook’s southern banks. Peter Marteka, courant.com, "Summer projects scheduled in Glastonbury include multiuse trail construction, oil pier removal," 10 June 2019 Enthusiasts can expect to cast for brook, brown and rainbow in the local streams where a variety of riparian ecosystems provide diverse fly-fishing opportunities. Lynn O’rourke Hayes, The Know, "Get hooked on these 5 great vacation spots for fly-fishing," 1 Aug. 2019 That difference is highlighted when Duclos immerses himself in these pockets of nature, especially his favorite, the Assabet River, and its tributaries, the Elizabeth, Fort Pond, and Nashoba brooks. Brion O’connor, BostonGlobe.com, "Paddling through nature and into the past," 18 July 2019 Ed Callahan, general manager of Hanover Mall, said for years the mall has tried to care for its section of the brook, which runs along the back side of the property, including by erecting fences to curtail trash dumping into the waterway. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, "For dam on Hanover/Norwell line, the days are numbered," 4 July 2019 In addition to the whimsical topiary figures, the nearly one-acre gated site has a swimming pool with a waterfall and a brook, an outdoor kitchen, a circular drive and an abundance of mature trees. Lauren Beale, latimes.com, "Montecito getaway once owned by actor Rob Lowe seeks $4.395 million," 1 July 2019 Although calling it a garden is perhaps an understatement: the green space includes a treehouse with a rope swing, a babbling brook, trees, shrubs, and edible flora. Vogue, "The Sweet Surprise in Kate Middleton’s Chelsea Flower Show Garden," 20 May 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Not brooking even possible party division may pay off. Will Weissert, Fortune, "Why Republicans Running Against Trump Won’t Get Much Help From Their Party," 26 Aug. 2019 In addition to the whimsical topiary figures, the nearly one-acre gated site has a swimming pool with a waterfall and brook, an outdoor kitchen and an art studio. Neal J. Leitereg And Lauren Beale, latimes.com, "Hot Property Newsletter: La crème de la crème," 6 July 2019 Pick from six sounds: rain, brook, ocean, thunder, white noise, or summer night. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "I Can’t Sleep Without My Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine," 11 Jan. 2019 The friendly staff is likely to tell you what the trout (rainbow, brook, and brown) are biting. Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Best Day Trips from Atlanta," 23 Aug. 2018 Warm Lake is a unique fishery, home to rainbow trout, Kokanee and all three Idaho char species — brook, bull and Mackinaw trout. Jordan Rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Warm Lake offers chance to beat the heat, catch some fish near Cascade," 9 July 2018 As a political figure, advocate and spiritual shepherd, Hughes operated as an unapologetic authoritarian, brooking little dissent. Terry Golway, WSJ, "‘Dagger John’ Review: Calling Bigotry By Its Name," 8 July 2018 But Holmes was no slouch: a facile mythmaker who brooked no dissent and presided over the workplace from hell. Stephen Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "New tech books: ‘Bad Blood,’ ‘Live Work Work Work Die,’ ‘The Efficiency Paradox’," 22 June 2018 Every item — brocade sofas, velvet upholstered chairs, metal hinges, parquet de Versailles floors — is period perfect; Smith will brook no interruption of his rococo illusion. Nancy Hass, New York Times, "In the Heart of Louisiana, One Man’s Impossibly Ornate Home," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brook.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of brook

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for brook

Noun

Middle English, from Old English brōc; akin to Old High German bruoh marshy ground

Verb

Middle English brouken to use, enjoy, from Old English brūcan; akin to Old High German brūhhan to use, Latin frui to enjoy

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More Definitions for brook

brook

noun

English Language Learners Definition of brook

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a small stream

brook

verb

English Language Learners Definition of brook (Entry 2 of 2)

: to allow (something) to exist or happen

brook

noun
\ ˈbru̇k How to pronounce brook (audio) \

Kids Definition of brook