Russian

noun

Rus·​sian ˈrə-shən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
a
: a native or inhabitant of Russia
b
: a member of the dominant Slavic-speaking ethnic group of Russia
c
: a person of Russian descent
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people spoken as a second language by many non-Russian ethnic groups of the Soviet Union and its successor states
Russian adjective
Russianness noun

Examples of Russian 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.
Notably, while Estonia and Latvia share an eastern border with Russia, Lithuania shares a western border with the Russian exclave Kaliningrad. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025 On their program is one work by a Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, and another by a Russian, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 3 in E-flat Major. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 McCabe handed Richard a revolver with a single bullet and made the kid play several rounds of Russian Roulette, all as his dad helplessly watched, with Paulie’s gun aimed his own head. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025 Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said that over 400 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner in the final offensive. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Russian

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Russian was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Russian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Russian. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Russian

noun
Rus·​sian ˈrəsh-ən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Russia
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people
Russian adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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