briefcase

noun

brief·​case ˈbrēf-ˌkās How to pronounce briefcase (audio)
Synonyms of briefcasenext
: a flat flexible case for carrying papers or books

Examples of briefcase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Evans would have one last gasp but was way too far out to try to grab the briefcase. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Follow along below for a survey of the worthiest briefcases on the market and make your daily commute just a little more stylish. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026 The century-of-leather theme was carried out in the details, with a film tracing Montblanc’s history playing behind two attendants stationed with open Writing Traveler briefcases, while an oversize walk-in bag doubled as the night’s photo op. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026 Wayne picks Gregory up at a motel, in Mobile, Alabama, and hands him a briefcase containing, among other things, a gun. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for briefcase

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of briefcase was in 1900

Rhymes for briefcase

See All Rhymes for briefcase

Browse Nearby Words

brief bag
briefcase
briefing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Briefcase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/briefcase. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

briefcase

noun
brief·​case ˈbrēf-ˌkās How to pronounce briefcase (audio)
: a flat case for carrying papers or books

More from Merriam-Webster on briefcase

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for briefcase

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All