Christian

1 of 2

noun

Chris·​tian ˈkris-chən 

ˈkrish-

1

a

: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ

b(1)

: disciple sense 2

(2)

: a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906

(3)

: a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961

2

: the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

Christian

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to Christianity

Christian scriptures

b

: based on or conforming with Christianity

Christian ethics

2

a

: of, relating to, or being a Christian

Christian responsibilities

b

: professing Christianity

a Christian affirmation

a Christian country

3

: treating other people in a kind or generous way

has a very Christian concern for others

Christianly adjective or adverb

Examples of Christian in a Sentence

Adjective

Many of my friends are Christian.

He showed a very Christian concern for others.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The lawsuit is the fifth to be filed against the Hereford House since Johnson County prosecutors charged 21-year-old Jace Christian Hanson of Kansas City with a felony of contaminating food at the restaurant at 5001 Town Center Drive in Leawood’s Town Center Plaza. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2024

After the infant Edgardo Mortara is secretly baptized by a devout maid in Bologna, Italy, the boy at age six is taken from his Jewish family to be raised Christian, according to Pope Pius XI’s edict to ensure the Church’s authority. —Armond White, National Review, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin christianus, adjective & noun, from Greek christianos, from Christos — see Christ

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing Christian

• anti-Christian
• Christian Brother
• Christian era
• Christian name
• Christian Science
• Judeo-Christian
• non-Christian
• post-Christian
• pre-Christian
• un-Christian

Kids Definition

Christian

1 of 2 noun

Chris·​tian ˈkris-chən 

ˈkrish-

1

: a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings

2

: a member of a Christian church

Christian

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to Jesus Christ or the religion based on his teachings

2

: of or relating to Christians

a Christian nation

3

: being what a Christian should be or do

Christian behavior