1
: one of the people of Persia: such as
a
: one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors founded an empire in southwest Asia
b
: a member of one of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality
2
a
: any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia at different periods
b
: the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan see Indo-European Languages Table
3
: a thin soft silk formerly used especially for linings
4
Persian
adjective
Examples of Persian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Nimitz is set to take over from the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, currently in the Arabian Sea to provide security for U.S. forces near the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, but the two vessels will likely overlap for several days.
—
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The country lies near the strategic Gwadar port — a key BRI outpost in Pakistan that gives China access to the Indian Ocean — and borders the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for Chinese oil imports from the Persian Gulf.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
For Trump’s Persian Gulf and Arab allies, the prospect of a repeat performance has left them scrabbling for a diplomatic off-ramp.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Some politicians have also raised the possibility of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and key to oil shipments to Asia, in response.
—Amira El-Fekki
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for Persian
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Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The country lies near the strategic Gwadar port — a key BRI outpost in Pakistan that gives China access to the Indian Ocean — and borders the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for Chinese oil imports from the Persian Gulf.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
For Trump’s Persian Gulf and Arab allies, the prospect of a repeat performance has left them scrabbling for a diplomatic off-ramp.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Some politicians have also raised the possibility of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and key to oil shipments to Asia, in response.
—Amira El-Fekki
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for Persian
Cite this Entry
“Persian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Persian. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Persian
noun
Per·sian
ˈpər-zhən 
1
: a native or inhabitant of ancient Persia or modern Iran
2
: the language of the Persians
Persian
adjective
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