Alsatian

1 of 2

adjective

Al·​sa·​tian al-ˈsā-shən 

1

: relating to, situated in, inhabiting, or coming from Alsace

Alsatian wines

Her parents are Alsatian.

Working out of a cramped second-floor kitchen, Jung has inspired the young new chefs to reinterpret the classics of Alsatian cuisine.

—S. Irene Virbilia

2

British : of, relating to, or being a German shepherd

an Alsatian dog

Alsatian

2 of 2

noun

plural Alsatians

1

British : german shepherd

Jean Muir has no fewer than three dogs … one is a pointer, one is a Labrador … and the third is an Alsatian, a guard dog.

—Michael Musto

… it looked like an Alsatian, though it was far too big to be a dog. Then he realised that it was a wolf …

—C. S. Lewis

2

: a native or inhabitant of Alsace

The transition from French to German rule in Alsace was extremely difficult for many of its inhabitants. … Indeed, an impressive number of Alsatians emigrated rather than accept the new regime.

—Gerard J. Brault

3

: a wine made in Alsace

And the range of wines produced by the riesling grape? They spread across the spectrum, from desert-dry Alsatians to syrupy ice wines from Washington and New York State …

—Chuck Sudo

4

: a dialect of German spoken in Alsace

Most of the passengers on our cruise lived near Strasbourg, the home base of the cruise line. They spoke French, German, or Alsatian, a regional dialect.

—Gail Russell Chaddock

Examples of Alsatian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This classic Alsatian varietal’s is rich with tropical notes—lychee, peaches—and exotic floral notes. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

In this dish from Daniela Galarza, inspired by the flavors of Alsatian choucroute garnie, shredded cabbage is the base of a sheet pan filled with pork sausage, onions, tangy sauerkraut and punchy mustard. —Matt Brooks, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023

Raoul’s, for example, the French bistro opened by Alsatian brothers, Serge and Guy Raoul, in 1975. —Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 16 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin Alsatia Alsace

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

Alsatian

noun

Al·​sa·​tian al-ˈsā-shən 

: german shepherd