Wesleyan

American  

[wes-lee-uhn, wez-] / ˈwɛs li ən, ˈwɛz- /

adjective

1. of or relating to John Wesley, founder of Methodism.

2. pertaining to Methodism.

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noun

1. a follower of John Wesley.

2. Chiefly British. a Methodist.

Wesleyan British  

/ ˈwɛzlɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or deriving from John Wesley

2. of, relating to, or characterizing Methodism, esp in its original form or as upheld by the branch of the Methodist Church known as the Wesleyan Methodists

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noun

1. a follower of John Wesley

2. a member of the Methodist Church or (formerly) of the Wesleyan Methodists

Other Word Forms

• Wesleyanism noun

Etymology

Origin of Wesleyan

First recorded in 1765–75; Wesley + -an

Example Sentences

She also has a bachelor of arts in the College of Letters and Spanish Literature from Wesleyan University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Belichick played football and lacrosse at Wesleyan University where he graduated in 1975 with an economics degree.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

At Wesleyan University, Miranda truly came into his own.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

On election day, my husband and I met at a local Wesleyan church and went inside to cast our votes together.

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2024

Founded in 1825, Clarkebury Institute was located on the site of one of the oldest Wesleyan missions in the Transkei.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela