Definition of 'brawn'

Word Frequency

brawn

(brɔːn )

1. uncountable noun

Brawn is physical strength.

He's got plenty of brains as well as brawn.

Synonyms: muscle, might, power, strength More Synonyms of brawn

2. uncountable noun

Brawn is a kind of food made from pieces of pork and jelly pressed together so that it is solid and can be sliced.

[British]

Word Frequency

brawn in British

(brɔːn )

noun

strong well-developed muscles

physical strength, esp as opposed to intelligence

3. British

a seasoned jellied loaf made from the head and sometimes the feet of a pig or calf

Word origin of 'brawn'

C14: from Old French braon slice of meat, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German brāto, Old English brǣd flesh

Word Frequency

brawn in American

(brɔn ; brôn)

noun

strong, well-developed muscles

muscular strength

3. British

cooked boar's flesh

headcheese

Word origin of 'brawn'

ME braun < OFr braon, fleshy or muscular part, buttock < Frank brado, meat, calf (of leg), akin to OHG brato, OE bræde

Example sentences containing 'brawn'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Not with Arsenal finally looking like a side ready to mix a bit of brawn with beauty for once. The Sun (2016)How to explain this coming together of brain and brawn? Times, Sunday Times (2009)But the underlying problem is that we keep going for brawn rather than brains. The Sun (2015)You also need some brawn in the attacking line. Times, Sunday Times (2015)And the way he mixed beauty with brawn in the heart of battle was not far behind. The Sun (2012)Their rivals caught up by equalling their brawn rather than the ability. Times, Sunday Times (2012)This is placard diplomacy, pursued with more brawn than brain. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Maybe he's found that winning combination of brains and brawn in some new trainer concept. Times, Sunday Times (2009)It has brain with its brawn and deserves a hero's welcome. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The cultural and intellectual challenges began because brawn without brain is a useful battering ram, but a useless leader. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Is brain better than brawn? The Sun (2006)I loved the offal, brawn and brains this series. The Sun (2015)TO do well in the Prem you need brawn as well as skill. The Sun (2009)Also brewers have learnt to use hops for their beauty rather than brawn and are better at locking in the hops' fresh fruit flavours. Times, Sunday Times (2007)You've got a degree... do you prefer brains or brawn in a man? The Sun (2012)The lock, who complements brawn with brain, was an exceptional contributor to an unexceptional performance. Times, Sunday Times (2014)But, when it comes to guys in the future, will you be looking for brains over brawn? The Sun (2013)Just because a player weighs more than 16st, it does not mean that he is all brawn and no brain. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Far from being a game of hit and hope, it places more emphasis on brain than brawn to second-guess an opponent. Times, Sunday Times (2006)