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Definition of briefcase

briefcase

/ˈbriːf.keɪs/
brief · case
Plural:briefcases
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briefcase Lexical Profile

briefcase Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A flat, rectangular container, typically made of leather or hard plastic, used for carrying books, papers, or professional documents.

Example

"The executive unlocked her briefcase to retrieve the quarterly financial reports before the meeting began."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for briefcase

• Nearby Words

bridge
bridle
brie
briefcase
brill
brilliant
brioche

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'brief' (a legal document) and 'case' (a container), originally referring specifically to a bag used by lawyers to carry court documents.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Briefcase. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/briefcase
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