1
chiefly Scotland : church
2
capitalized : the national church of Scotland as distinguished from the Church of England or the Episcopal Church in Scotland

Examples of kirk in a Sentence

an elder of the Kirk left Edinburgh early in the morning for St. John's Kirk in Perth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (northern dialect), from Old Norse kirkja, from Old English cirice — more at church

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kirk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near kirk

Cite this Entry

“Kirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kirk. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chiefly Scottish
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