Columbian

American  

[kuh-luhm-bee-uhn] / kəˈlʌm bi ən /

adjective

1. Literary. pertaining to America or the United States.

2. pertaining to Christopher Columbus.

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noun

1. Printing. a 16-point type of a size between English and great primer.

Columbian British  

/ kəˈlʌmbɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the United States

2. relating to Christopher Columbus

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noun

1. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 16 point; two-line Brevier

Other Word Forms

• post-Columbian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Columbian

1750–60; Columbi(a) + -an or Columb(us) + -ian

Example Sentences

The Columbian exchange had brought calorie-rich crops such as the potato to Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

The BC Lumber Trade Council, which represents British Columbian lumber producers in Canada on trade matters, in September called the new tariffs "misguided and unnecessary."

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

These will remain in place "until the first planeload of Columbian deportees is successfully returned", the White House said.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

A Wyoming archaeological site where people killed or scavenged a Columbian mammoth nearly 13,000 years ago has produced yet another discovery that sheds light on the life of these early inhabitants of North America.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2024

“What was he doing at the Columbian Exposition last night?”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros