Christendom

noun

Chris·​ten·​dom ˈkri-sᵊn-dəm How to pronounce Christendom (audio)
1
: christianity sense 1
2
: the part of the world in which Christianity prevails

Examples of Christendom 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.
What made the occasion controversial, indeed historic, was the Church's acceptance of Gene Robinson as the first openly-gay bishop in all of Christendom. — Ted Koppel, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2024 The Bible and Apocrypha are full of stories of those tempted by Satan’s natural world to leave behind Christendom. — Lorraine Berry, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cristendom, from Old English cristendōm, from cristen

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Christendom was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Christendie
Christendom
christening
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Cite this Entry

“Christendom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Christendom. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Christendom

noun
Chris·​ten·​dom ˈkris-ᵊn-dəm How to pronounce Christendom (audio)
1
: the entire body of Christians
2
: the part of the world where Christianity is most common
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