Pennsylvania Dutch
noun
Penn·syl·va·nia Dutch
ˌpen(t)-səl-ˈvā-nyə- 
-nē-ə-
1
: a people originally of eastern Pennsylvania whose characteristic cultural traditions go back to the German migrations of the 18th century
2
: a dialect of German spoken mainly in Amish communities especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana
Pennsylvania Dutchman
noun
Examples of Pennsylvania Dutch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The treat spread across Europe and eventually made its way to the U.S. with German immigrants, particularly the Pennsylvania Dutch, who helped popularize the hard pretzel.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
European settlers, specifically the Pennsylvania Dutch, were the ones who brought the custom to the U.S., according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
The Pennsylvania Dutch in particular embraced saffron, using it in teas, soups and cakes.
—Jane Black, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
An official interpreter leans down to listen to Uni’s supposed prediction, and delivers the prediction in Pennsylvania Dutch.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Having grown up both Pennsylvania Dutch and Mennonite, Groff depicts one of the oldest folk magic practices in America: Braucherei, as it is called by the Pennsylvania Dutch, is a prayer and healing ritual intended to banish demons.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2024
The train, located in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating railroad in the nation, with its first rides departing in 1832, taking travelers through the breathtaking scenery in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
Descendants of German-speaking emigrants who settled in the Pennsylvania area—the Pennsylvania Dutch—are believed to be the creators of the pickled beet egg.
—Kate Ramos, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024
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.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
European settlers, specifically the Pennsylvania Dutch, were the ones who brought the custom to the U.S., according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
The Pennsylvania Dutch in particular embraced saffron, using it in teas, soups and cakes.
—Jane Black, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
An official interpreter leans down to listen to Uni’s supposed prediction, and delivers the prediction in Pennsylvania Dutch.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Having grown up both Pennsylvania Dutch and Mennonite, Groff depicts one of the oldest folk magic practices in America: Braucherei, as it is called by the Pennsylvania Dutch, is a prayer and healing ritual intended to banish demons.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2024
The train, located in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating railroad in the nation, with its first rides departing in 1832, taking travelers through the breathtaking scenery in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
Descendants of German-speaking emigrants who settled in the Pennsylvania area—the Pennsylvania Dutch—are believed to be the creators of the pickled beet egg.
—Kate Ramos, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pennsylvania Dutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pennsylvania%20Dutch. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Pennsylvania Dutch
noun
Penn·syl·va·nia Dutch
ˌpen(t)-səl-ˌvā-nyə-
-nē-ə-
1
: a people living mostly in eastern Pennsylvania whose culture goes back to the German migrations of the 18th century
2
: the German dialect of the Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutchman
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share