Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən 

especially British -shən

1

: one of the people of Persia: such as

a

: one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors founded an empire in southwest Asia

b

: a member of one of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality

2

a

: any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia at different periods

b

: the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan see Indo-European Languages Table

3

: a thin soft silk formerly used especially for linings

4

: persian cat

Persian adjective

Examples of Persian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its east, home to the kingdom's oil fields, is bordered by the Persian Gulf — all that separates Saudi Arabia from longtime foe Iran. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Noma is the latest in a line of cultural districts that have cropped up across the Persian Gulf, from Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue to Riyadh’s JAX District, and Abu Dhabi’s own Miza neighborhood. — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Oct. 2026

Qatar, a gas-rich monarchy in the Persian Gulf, is accustomed to walking a fine line. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Ukraine bombing oil facilities in Russia and more tankers coming under attack in the Persian Gulf have clouded the supply outlook. — Lee Ying Shan,spencer Kimball, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Persian

• Middle Persian
• Old Persian
• Persian cat
• Persian lamb

Rhymes for Persian

• version
• animadversion
• bioconversion
• cardioversion
• interconversion
• seroconversion
• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion

Kids Definition

Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of ancient Persia or modern Iran

2

: the language of the Persians

Persian adjective