How do you use the word "brick" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "brick": The chimney is made of brick. Jane swims like a brick.

Brick Meaning

/ˈbɹɪk/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA hardened rectangular block of mud, clay etc., used for building.

nounSuch hardened mud, clay, etc. considered collectively, as a building material.

Sentence Examples

The chimney is made of brick.

Jane swims like a brick.

The school is built of brick.

CEFR Practice Quiz

After the wall collapsed, we needed a red ____ to repair the broken section.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The house was built with red ____ and had a very strong structure.

Word Origin & History

From Late Middle English brik, bryke, bricke, from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch bricke ("cracked or broken brick; tile-stone"; modern Dutch brik), ultimately related to Proto-West Germanic *brekan (“to break”), whence also Old French briche and French brique (“brick”). Compare also German Low German Brickje (“small board, tray”). Related to break. The social media slang sense derives from memes about building up one's feed “brick by brick”, analogizing bricks with reels that inform the algorithm.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"They gather one by one, trickling into the shady courtyard, the familiar hum of Mass. Ave. wafting in from behind brick buildings and iron gates." — 2005 June 9, Michael M. Grynbaum, “An Entryway That Eats Together Stays Together”, in The Harvard Crimson, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2025:

"The handyman considered the question and I knew she had a brick of ground beans in her bag but was considering whether the beds and a hot drink was worth a brick of coffee." — 2011, Seth Kenlon, Revolution Radio, page 70:

"He disentangled himself from the safe door and delved inside. He brought out a brick of banknotes." — 2012, Kevin Sampson, Powder, page 34:

"A few times, when I got tired of my whisky highs and tobacco fumes, I turned to my new little helper, the tiny brick of cannabis resin I got from Don." — 2021, Stan Erisman, A Sea of Troubles, page 31:

"“It's easy to see you're a brick!” replied Lady Augusta, and the laugh again became general." — 1863, Elizabeth Caroline Grey, Good Society; Or, Contrasts of Character, page 72:

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