Presbyterian

1 of 2

noun

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən 

ˌpres-

: a member of a Presbyterian church

Presbyterian

2 of 2

adjective

1

often not capitalized : characterized by a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies (such as presbyteries) exercising legislative and judicial powers

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a Protestant Christian church that is presbyterian in government and traditionally Calvinistic in doctrine

Presbyterianism

ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

ˌpres-

noun

Examples of Presbyterian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Last year, a proposal to place Dish Network antennas inside the bell tower of La Jolla Presbyterian Church was dropped following community opposition. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025

Schererville Immanuel Presbyterian Church: 140 U.S. 30 — Sunday school at Immanuel Presbyterian Church takes place on the second, third and fourth Sundays of every month. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Elon’s opener is at 2 p.m. Sunday against Army West Point, and Presbyterian faces Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Conference at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. —Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025

Joined a Presbyterian church in 1827, then found a new home in the Methodist movement. —Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Presbyterian

• hanoverian
• assyrian
• counterion
• criterion
• hyperion
• iberian
• illyrian
• mousterian
• shakespearean
• shakespearian
• virion

Kids Definition

Presbyterian

adjective

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an

ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən,

ˌpres-

1

often not capitalized : having a system of representative governing councils of ministers and elders

2

: of, relating to, or being a Protestant Christian church that is presbyterian in government

Presbyterian noun

Presbyterianism

-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm

noun