brood
word
Definition
As a noun, 'brood' refers to a group of baby birds born at the same time to the same parents. As a verb, to 'brood' means to sit on eggs to hatch them, or to think deeply and anxiously about something.
Usage & Nuances
'Brood' as a verb is formal/literary when used for thinking (e.g., 'to brood over a problem'), and neutral in science or bird contexts. As a noun, it's mostly about birds or sometimes large families (rarely used for humans). The verb often implies thinking with worry or sadness.
Example Sentences
The hen sits on her eggs to brood them.
basic
The sparrow's brood hatched last week.
basic
He likes to brood over small problems.
basic
Stop brooding about what happened; it's time to move on.
natural
She spent the afternoon brooding in her room.
natural
Their cat had a new brood of kittens last month.
natural