presbyterian

[ prez-bi-teer-ee-uhn, pres- ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or based on the principle of ecclesiastical government by presbyters or presbyteries.
2. (initial capital letter) designating or pertaining to various churches having this form of government and professing more or less modified forms of Calvinism.

noun

1. (initial capital letter) a member of a Presbyterian church; a person who supports Presbyterianism.

Presbyterian

¹

/ ˌprɛzbɪˈtɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to any of various Protestant Churches governed by presbyters or lay elders and adhering to various modified forms of Calvinism

noun

1. a member of a Presbyterian Church

presbyterian

²

/ ˌprɛzbɪˈtɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating Church government by presbyters or lay elders

noun

1. an upholder of this type of Church government

Derived Forms

• ˌPresbyˈterianism, noun
• ˌpresbyˌterianˈistic, adjective
• ˌpresbyˈterianism, noun

Other Words From

• non-Pres·by·teri·an adjective noun
• pro-Pres·by·teri·an adjective noun
• pseudo-Presby·teri·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presbyterian¹

First recorded in 1635–45; presbytery + -an

Example Sentences

Other Christians belong to a variety of evangelical churches and other denominations, including the Anglican Church of Kenya and the Presbyterian Church.

From BBC

Oz, 64, trained as a cardiothoracic surgeon – specialising in operations on the heart and lungs – and worked at New York City’s Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University.

From BBC

In the past Donald Trump had talked about having had a Presbyterian upbringing.

From BBC

Kathy helps run Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and one of her jobs is to put up a message with meaning on a sign at the front of the building.

From BBC

Dr Andrew Brown, who sits on the TRC representing the Presbyterian Church, said that while RSE was "vital" they shared "concern over the content mandated by the former secretary of state for Northern Ireland".

From BBC