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
Fisher's Amish roots and ability to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, the Old Order Amish dialect, have helped build rapport with like-minded musicians.
—
CBS News, 2 May 2026
Fisher’s Amish roots and ability to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, the Old Order Amish dialect, has helped build rapport with likeminded musicians.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
European settlers, specifically the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought the custom to the U.S., according to The Old Farmer's Almanack.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 2 Feb. 2026
By the end of her senior year, Christina was learning to speak Pennsylvania Dutch and wearing clothes sewn by members of the community.
—Lauren Boersma Harris, New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2025
Belsnickel may have originated around the Middle Ages and is now well known across Pennsylvania, thanks to German immigrants who moved to the area, known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
The Strasburg Train offers a stunning ride through Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
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
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CBS News, 2 May 2026
Fisher’s Amish roots and ability to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, the Old Order Amish dialect, has helped build rapport with likeminded musicians.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
European settlers, specifically the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought the custom to the U.S., according to The Old Farmer's Almanack.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 2 Feb. 2026
By the end of her senior year, Christina was learning to speak Pennsylvania Dutch and wearing clothes sewn by members of the community.
—Lauren Boersma Harris, New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2025
Belsnickel may have originated around the Middle Ages and is now well known across Pennsylvania, thanks to German immigrants who moved to the area, known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
The Strasburg Train offers a stunning ride through Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Pennsylvania Dutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pennsylvania%20Dutch. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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
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