Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce Persian (audio)
 especially British  -shən
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Western intelligence agencies were shocked by the invasion and American policymakers worried that the Soviet Union might be angling to control the Persian Gulf and its oil, through Iran or Saudi Arabia. Benjamin V. Allison / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024 What became known as the Carter Doctrine has undergirded the United States’ approach to the Persian Gulf for decades, protecting U.S. interests while allowing regional powers to develop their own security capabilities. Tom Donilon, Foreign Affairs, 29 Dec. 2024 The new drone ship, called Shahid Bagheri, is anchored offshore of the Iranian naval port of Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf, according to Maxar. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 Eshel This glatt kosher Persian and Mediterranean dining room is from Rafael Yaghoubian, who has teamed up with an experienced partner, Mordechai Haimzadegan, who owns Shiraz in Great Neck, N.Y. Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Persian 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Persian was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Persian

Cite this Entry

“Persian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Persian. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Persian

noun
Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce Persian (audio)
1
: a native or inhabitant of ancient Persia or modern Iran
2
: the language of the Persians
Persian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Persian

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