Maronite

noun

Mar·​o·​nite ˈmer-ə-ˌnīt How to pronounce Maronite (audio)
ˈma-rə-
: a member of a Uniate church chiefly in Lebanon having a Syriac liturgy and married clergy

Examples of Maronite 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.
Maronite Catholics, an Eastern Catholic community that traces its roots to the fourth century, constitute the largest group among Lebanese Christians. Ramazan Kılınç, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025 Pope Leo attends a meeting with young people during a visit to the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, north of the capital, Beirut, on Monday. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025 By convention, the post of Lebanese president is reserved for a Maronite Catholic. NPR, 1 Dec. 2025 Under Lebanon's power-sharing system, the country's president is always a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliamentary speaker a Shiite. CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025 While Lebanon’s population is majority Muslim, the president of the country (currently Joseph Aoun) is by convention a Maronite Christian. Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025 President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, a Maronite and former army general, had invited Leo to visit when the two met at the Vatican in June. New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Memorial Day weekend, May 23, 6 to 10 p.m. (limited menu only); May 24-25, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church, 750 Medford Street, El Cajon. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin maronita, from Maron-, Maro 5th century a.d. Syrian monk

First Known Use

1511, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Maronite was in 1511

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Cite this Entry

“Maronite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maronite. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

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