Something that is brief lasts for only a short time.

A brief speech or piece of writing does not contain too many words or details.

If you are brief, you say what you want to say in as few words as possible.

You can describe a period of time as brief if you want to emphasize that it is very short.

Men's or women's underpants can be referred to as briefs .

If someone briefs you, especially about a piece of work or a serious matter, they give you information that you need before you do it or consider it.

If someone gives you a brief, they officially give you responsibility for dealing with a particular thing.

If you refer to something in brief, you are referring to a shortened version of it with few details.

You can say in brief to indicate that you are about to say something in as few words as possible or to give a summary of what you have just said.