Presbyterian

1 of 2

noun

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən How to pronounce Presbyterian (audio)
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 noun

Examples of Presbyterian 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.
Noun
Sponsored by the Presbyterian Women of Knox Church, proceeds will benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Saturday, June 21 Toiletry drive: Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church is holding a drive-thru toiletry collection from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21 in its upper parking lot, 17010 Pomerado Road. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
The example of Lish and many of the literary people in New York encouraged me to drop a leftover notion from my Presbyterian childhood that making a show of yourself was somehow embarrassing and disgraceful. Jane Smiley june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025 What does an Enlightenment-era Presbyterian minister and mathematician have to do with this story? Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for Presbyterian

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Presbyterian was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Presbyterian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Presbyterian. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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

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