Presbyterian

1 of 2

noun

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən How to pronounce Presbyterian (audio)
ˌpres-
: a member of a Presbyterian church

Presbyterian

2 of 2

adjective

1
often not capitalized : characterized by a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies (such as presbyteries) exercising legislative and judicial powers
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a Protestant Christian church that is presbyterian in government and traditionally Calvinistic in doctrine
Presbyterianism noun

Examples of Presbyterian 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.
Noun
The first concert is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, 1220 2nd St., and the second is Sunday at 2 p.m. at L.A. Dance Project, 2245 E. Washington Blvd. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 Adams is accused of intentionally targeting children Thursday afternoon at the Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan's Island, a beach town just outside of Charleston, authorities said. Faith Abubey, ABC News, 2 May 2025
Adjective
In our new apartment in Manhattan, with the weather warm and the windows open, the sound of bells from the Presbyterian church on Amsterdam Avenue floats in at the beginning of each hour. Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025 Elon’s opener is at 2 p.m. Sunday against Army West Point, and Presbyterian faces Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Conference at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Presbyterian

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Presbyterian was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Presbyterian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Presbyterian. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Presbyterian

adjective
Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an
ˌprez-bə-ˈtir-ē-ən,
ˌpres-
1
often not capitalized : having a system of representative governing councils of ministers and elders
2
: of, relating to, or being a Protestant Christian church that is presbyterian in government
Presbyterian noun
Presbyterianism
-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm
noun

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