Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən 

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 cat

Persian adjective

Examples of Persian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is predicated on Persian Gulf production and exports returning to pre-war levels in the near future, The implication is that oil prices will be much lower next year than even the pre-war levels, but quite a few have derided those forecasts. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

The initial 60-day agreement brought significant relief to energy markets, the shipping industry and the thousands of sailors stranded in the Persian Gulf. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 June 2026

After the strike, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization temporarily paused a days-old plan to evacuate many of the vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, pointing to Thursday's strike. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 25 June 2026

The report said Iran wants its Persian Gulf neighbors to be part of the agreement and share the revenue. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Persian

• Middle Persian
• Old Persian
• Persian cat
• Persian lamb

Rhymes for Persian

• version
• animadversion
• bioconversion
• cardioversion
• interconversion
• seroconversion
• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion

Kids 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