Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

River Brethren

plural noun

Definition of River Brethren

: members of a body of Christians formed about 1770 in Pennsylvania among Swiss and German immigrants, resembling the Mennonites in doctrines and practices, and now divided into the Brethren in Christ, the Yorker Brethren, and the United Zion Church

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for River Brethren

from the Susquehanna river, near which the denomination was formed

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about River Brethren

Share River Brethren

Statistics for River Brethren

Look-up Popularity

Comments on River Brethren

What made you want to look up River Brethren? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

canker

Listen to the pronounciation of canker

to corrupt or become corrupted

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Green Quiz

  • shamrock
  • What is the best definition of green-eyed monster?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games