soviet

1 of 2

noun

so·​vi·​et ˈsō-vē-ˌet How to pronounce soviet (audio)
ˈsä-,
-vē-ət
1
: an elected governmental council in a Communist country
2
Soviets plural
b
: the people and especially the political and military leaders of the Soviet Union
sovietism noun often capitalized

Soviet

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Soviet Union or its people
Soviet history/policy
a Soviet spy
Soviet dissidents

Examples of soviet in a Sentence

Noun disputes between Americans and Soviets The plan was opposed by the Soviets.
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
In September, the United States responded by expelling 25 Soviets from their UN mission in New York, and the next month, another 55 from the Soviet embassy in Washington and the consulate in San Francisco. Daniel Fried, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2018 Only in the latter half of its 44-year run fighting Soviets and protecting popes has the G-class served as a glorified Rodeo Drive shopping cart. Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023
Adjective
For more than half a decade after World War II, Soviet spies beamed powerful radio waves at the United States embassy in Moscow. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 It is loosely based on the experiences of Latvian citizens under Soviet rule, who were victimized for showing interest in western culture and music. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for soviet 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Russian sovet council, soviet

First Known Use

Noun

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soviet was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near soviet

Cite this Entry

“Soviet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soviet. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

soviet

noun
so·​vi·​et ˈsōv-ē-ˌet How to pronounce soviet (audio)
ˈsäv-,
-ē-ət
1
a
: an elected governing council in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
2
plural capitalized : the people and especially the political and military leaders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
soviet adjective often capitalized
Etymology

Noun

from Russian sovet "council"

More from Merriam-Webster on soviet

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!