nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnən How to pronounce nun (audio)
Synonyms of nunnext
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
nunlike
ˈnən-ˌlīk How to pronounce nun (audio)
adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈnu̇n How to pronounce nun (audio)
: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of nun 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.
Noun
In the mayhem, two Roman Catholic nuns were shot dead. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025 Mansion also took over Club Allure, a strip club that was embroiled in controversy, with a 2014 lawsuit filed by nuns at the nearby Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo convent. — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Poitier stars as Homer Smith, a drifter who turns up in a small Arizona town and helps a group of nuns construct a chapel for the local community. — EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Multiple people, including a group of Nigerian nuns, are praying for Pope Francis outside of the hospital in Rome where he is being treated. — Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nun

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English nunne, from Late Latin nonna

Noun (2)

Hebrew nūn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for nun

See All Rhymes for nun

Browse Nearby Words

numskull
nun
nun's veiling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

nun

noun
ˈnən
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one living under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

More from Merriam-Webster on nun

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nun

Nglish: Translation of nun for Spanish Speakers

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