What does bris mean?
A bris is the Jewish ritual circumcision of a male infant, a ceremony rooted in the biblical covenant between God and Abraham and traditionally performed on the eighth day after birth. The word comes from Hebrew "berit," meaning "covenant," via Yiddish, and entered English largely through Ashkenazi Jewish communities. A bris is typically conducted by a mohel, a person trained in both the surgical procedure and the religious requirements of the rite, and it is usually held at home or in a synagogue followed by a celebratory meal. In everyday English, especially in North America, the word refers either to the procedure itself or, by metonymy, to the whole occasion — as when someone says they are attending a bris. Because the term is tied to a sacred practice, it is generally treated with respect, and speakers outside the tradition often add brief explanation when using it for unfamiliar audiences.
The Jewish ritual circumcision of a male infant, traditionally performed on the eighth day after birth as a sign of the Abrahamic covenant.
"The mohel arrived early to prepare for the bris."
In formal liturgical contexts the full Hebrew phrase "brit milah" (or "bris milah") is often preferred over the shortened Yiddish-derived form.
By metonymy, the ceremonial event or celebration at which a ritual circumcision takes place.
"About forty relatives and friends came to the bris and stayed for the festive brunch afterward."
The standard English plural adds -es, since the word ends in the sibilant /s/. The plural is relatively rare, but it appears naturally when referring to multiple ceremonies.
"Over the years she had attended dozens of brises in her extended family."
The word "bris" comes from Hebrew "berit," meaning "covenant" — so every bris literally marks a baby's entry into a covenant that Jewish tradition traces back to Abraham.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bris
The word "bris" derives from Hebrew "berit" (בְּרִית), meaning "covenant," passing into English through Yiddish, where it was used in the phrase "bris milah" — the "covenant of circumcision." The rite itself is described in the Hebrew Bible as a commandment given to Abraham, which is why the ceremony is understood as a sign of covenantal membership. English borrowed the word primarily through Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant communities, and it remains a naturalized loanword today, most familiar in American English.
Related word forms
How bris is actually used
The word carries strong religious and cultural significance within Jewish communities and should be used respectfully. It is a common loanword in English, especially in North American usage. The plural "brises" is standard. Some speakers use the fuller term "bris milah" or "brit milah" in more formal religious contexts. Outside Jewish contexts the word may be unfamiliar, so it is often glossed when used for general audiences.
Easily confused with bris
"Brisk" is an adjective meaning quick, energetic, or sharp in manner, whereas "bris" is a noun referring to the Jewish ritual circumcision ceremony.
"Briss" is merely an alternate spelling of "bris," not a different word; both refer to the same ritual.