nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnən 

: a woman belonging to a religious order

especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

nunlike

ˈnən-ˌlīk 

adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈnu̇n 

: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of nun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Police are renewing efforts to solve a 20-year-old hit-and-run that killed a nun in Northeast Philadelphia. —Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

However, the young woman begins to feel a calling from God and decides to embrace the life of a cloistered nun. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026

Allegedly discovered by the Benedictine nuns of Catania, these Sicilian pastries are made from Semolina dough lathered in honey and citrus peel, that are then stuffed either with ricotta (in pastry balls) or anchovies (in a long shape), then fried in seed oil or lard. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026

Abarca cut the engines, and a chorus of nun birds rose from the forests. —Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English nunne, from Late Latin nonna

Noun (2)

Hebrew nūn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• one
• pun
• run
• shun

Kids Definition

nun

noun

ˈnən

: a woman belonging to a religious order

especially : one living under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience