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

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, along with two orders of nuns, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the Little Sisters of the Poor, filed a lawsuit last week to block Illinois’ assisted suicide law. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

But scholars believe it was stitched on the losing side, in England — likely by seamstress nuns. — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Hill had been sent out for a role in 1987 on the soap Santa Barbara, only to learn upon arrival that the part was a Nicaraguan nun. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Its first nuns are believed to have come from a convent in Strasbourg, according to Langkilde. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

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