Russian

noun

Rus·​sian ˈrə-shən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
a
: a native or inhabitant of Russia
b
: a member of the dominant Slavic-speaking ethnic group of Russia
c
: a person of Russian descent
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people spoken as a second language by many non-Russian ethnic groups of the Soviet Union and its successor states
Russian adjective
Russianness noun

Examples of Russian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Germany Replaced Russian Natural Gas Through Diversification Before 2022, Germany relied on Russia for 65% of its natural gas and served as a transit corridor for Russian gas to several Eastern European countries. Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Why Trump's 'very big' Ukraine minerals deal may not be an easy win In Russia, Dmitry Medvedev -- the former president and prime minister now serving as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council -- framed the deal as a defeat for Kyiv. David Brennan, ABC News, 1 May 2025 The report released this week said that Europe had the technology and the tools to break free from Russian LNG, as an increasing shift away from fossil fuel generation and an increase in use of renewable energy. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists it must be returned as part of any truce and Russian President Vladimir Putin is just as firm that it be retained by the Russian Federation. Scott Neuman, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Russian

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Russian was in 1538

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Russian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Russian. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Russian

noun
Rus·​sian ˈrəsh-ən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Russia
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people
Russian adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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