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
Noun
His death, at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, was confirmed by his daughter Alison MacNeil. Elizabeth Jensen, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024 Two victims were rushed by police to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with gunshot wounds, and one of them is considered a possible suspect, the official added. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024 The couple wed on April 6, which also marked Malone's 40th birthday, at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan with approximately 140 guests. Shania Russell, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024 The wedding took place at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and was officiated by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States ambassador to the United Nations. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024 The wedding at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan was officiated by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024 Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village. March 21: Thomas Dunford. Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024 Travel Slideshow and Auction, March 23, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church, 103 Wm. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 Northwood Presbyterian Church is, in a sense, a kind of home. Danny Nguyen, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Audible is also behind the Innovation Cathedral, a former Presbyterian church that was refashioned into a technical R&D hub for the company. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024 Covenant is Presbyterian, while Brentwood Hills is Church of Christ. USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024 Epstein was already collaborating with Denis Burkitt, a surgeon and Presbyterian missionary in Uganda, who was sending tissue samples to London from biopsied facial tumors afflicting Ugandan children. Delthia Ricks, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The leader of the legislative opposition was state Rep. James Talarico (D), a Presbyterian seminarian. Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Born in 1859 and 1868, respectively, Mildred and Patty were two of six children of the Reverend William Wallace Hill, a Presbyterian minister who edited a religious journal and served as a pastor at Anchorage Presbyterian Church outside of Louisville. Kellie B. Gormly, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 That connection led Cantus to be invited as musical performers on a tour of Cameroon celebrating the 50th anniversary of Presbyterian churches there. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 His father, Max Belz, was a grain elevator operator before becoming a Presbyterian pastor. Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 My dad was a Presbyterian minister, for 40 years or something like that…. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Presbyterian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near Presbyterian

Cite this Entry

“Presbyterian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Presbyterian. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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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