Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce Persian (audio)
 especially British  -shən
1
: one of the people of Persia: such as
a
: one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors founded an empire in southwest Asia
b
: a member of one of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality
2
a
: any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia at different periods
b
: the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan see Indo-European Languages Table
3
: a thin soft silk formerly used especially for linings
4
Persian adjective

Examples of Persian 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.
Deep cleaning is traditional during the Persian New Year, Nowruz, which coincides with the spring equinox. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 The oilers are particularly needed in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf — areas regularly patrolled by warships based in San Diego, Hawaii, Washington state and sites in Japan. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 Similarly, the variations in the Nativity stories—Matthew features Persian Magi, while Luke omits them in favor of local shepherds—are not merely discrepancies of partial memory. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Ensign compared Boasberg's restraining order to a judge directing a carrier group from the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf -- an analogy that drew an immediate rebuke from Millett. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Persian

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Persian was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Persian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Persian. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

Persian

noun
Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce Persian (audio)
1
: a native or inhabitant of ancient Persia or modern Iran
2
: the language of the Persians
Persian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Persian

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