Presbyterian

1 of 2

noun

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən 

ˌpres-

: a member of a Presbyterian church

Presbyterian

2 of 2

adjective

1

often presbyterian : 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

ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

ˌpres-

noun

Examples of Presbyterian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On Sunday, May 21, 1922, the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan became the site of a fork in the river. — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

McLean Presbyterian Church, where my wife and I attend, set up a program to assist Afghan refugees in the immediate aftermath of the American withdrawal in 2021. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Adjective

The Presbyterian seminary student made the comment while debating legislation related to transgender people participating in school sports. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

The church is looking into hosting Zoom versions of the lyric and Bible study, and church leaders have passed the curriculum to other Presbyterian churches interested in hosting their own version of the event. — Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Presbyterian

• assyrian
• counterion
• criterion
• hyperion
• iberian
• illyrian
• mousterian
• shakespearean
• shakespearian
• hanoverian
• virion

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