brethren

/ˈbrɛðrən/
noun
  1. Members of a male religious group or fraternal organization.
    • He addressed the brethren at the lodge meeting with great respect.
    • The brethren gathered in the chapel for evening prayers.
    • The monastery's brethren worked together in the garden each morning.
  2. Fellow members of a particular group, especially a church or profession (often used in formal or old-fashioned contexts).
    • The judge spoke to his brethren on the bench about the new law.
    • Welcome, brethren, to our annual conference.
    • Our brethren in the medical field are working tirelessly during the crisis.
What does "brethren" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean