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

El Dusty, who has a wiry white beard and wore a camouflage-print vest, said, before passing the mike to the Presbyterian seminarian and Democratic candidate for Senate. — Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

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

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