1
a
: a native or inhabitant of Germany
b
: a person of German descent
c
: one whose native language is German and who is a native of a country other than Germany
2
a
: the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland
b
: the literary and official language of Germany
3
: a member of any of the Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times
4
often not capitalized
a
: a dance consisting of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled with waltzes
b
chiefly Midland US
: a dancing party
specifically
: one at which the german is danced
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Germany, the Germans, or German
ger·man
ˈjər-mən 
: having the same parents or the same grandparents on either the maternal or paternal side
—usually used after the noun which it modifies and joined to it by a hyphen
brother-german
cousin-german
obsolete
: a near relative
Examples of German in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The German was hired with a view to winning the World Cup in 2026 and his first match marks the beginning of qualifying for that competition, with Albania visiting Wembley.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The German Parliament’s budget committee is expected to decide Friday to clear up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in extra funding for German military aid to Ukraine this year.
—Hanna Arhirova and Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, Antonio Senzatella, Ryan Feltner and Chase Dollander/Bradley Blalock for Austin Gomber until healthy?
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for German
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Noun
Read more Donald Trump North Korea Issues New Demand to Trump
Trump-Putin Call Dismissed as 'Flop' by German Defense Minister
Donald Trump Promised to Bring Peace to Middle East.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The German was hired with a view to winning the World Cup in 2026 and his first match marks the beginning of qualifying for that competition, with Albania visiting Wembley.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The German Parliament’s budget committee is expected to decide Friday to clear up to 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in extra funding for German military aid to Ukraine this year.
—Hanna Arhirova and Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, Antonio Senzatella, Ryan Feltner and Chase Dollander/Bradley Blalock for Austin Gomber until healthy?
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for German
Cite this Entry
“German.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/German. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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