nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnən 

: a woman belonging to a religious order

especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

nunlike

ˈnən-ˌlīk 

adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈnu̇n 

: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of nun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Our unnamed narrator has decided, for reasons unstated, to dwell in a small enclave of nuns on the arid plains of Australia. —The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025

Lux, Rosalía For her third full-length, the Spanish pop visionary sings in 10 different languages, collaborates with the London Symphony Orchestra, and communes with the sacred teachings of various nuns and female saints. —Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025

There are hints of nuclear incident, climate collapse, AI run amok — all filtered through the narrow perspective of a survivor’s diary written in a convent where evil nuns hold sway over the worthy and unworthy alike. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Join this online session with Phuong Pham, a Buddhist nun experienced in meditation. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English nunne, from Late Latin nonna

Noun (2)

Hebrew nūn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• one
• pun
• run
• shun

Kids Definition

nun

noun

ˈnən

: a woman belonging to a religious order

especially : one living under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience