having the same father and mother, as a full brother or sister (usually used in combination).
a brother-german.
born of the brother or sister of one's father or mother, as a first cousin (usually used in combination).
a cousin-german.
Archaic. germane.
a native or inhabitant of Germany.
a descendant of a native of Germany.
Also called High German. an Indo-European language that is based on a High German dialect, is official in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is also widely used as an international language for scholarship and science. G, G.
Linguistics. any variety of West Germanic speech native to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
(usually lowercase) an elaborate social dance resembling a cotillion.
(lowercase) a dancing party featuring the german.
the official language of Germany and Austria and one of the official languages of Switzerland; the native language of approximately 100 million people. It is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch, closely related to English and Dutch. There is considerable diversity of dialects; modern standard German is a development of Old High German, influenced by Martin Luther's translation of the Bible See also High German Low German
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Germany
a person whose native language is German
Swiss Germans
Volga Germans
denoting, relating to, or using the German language
relating to, denoting, or characteristic of any German state or its people
having the same parents as oneself
a brother-german
having a parent that is a brother or sister of either of one's own parents
cousin-german
a less common word for germane
1250–1300; Middle English germain < Old French < Latin germānus, derivative of germen; see germ
1520–30; < Latin Germānus German; cognate with Greek Germanoí (plural)
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Berlin will no longer pursue building and ordering the aircraft after failing to resolve a spat between Airbus and Dassault over which should take the lead on its development, a senior German government official said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
The French and German defence ministries are set to draw up a plan for defence cooperation "focused on a few realistic and relevant projects" at a forthcoming meeting, the official added.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
He also urged them not to allow partnerships between large corporations and the military, the way the German scientific community and government did with I. G. Farben and Krupp Armaments and Steel.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Berlin has yet to decide whether it will seek to join another multinational aircraft project already under way, the German official said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
“Well, we intercept German radio messages at listening posts. Motorcycle couriers bring stacks of messages here all day and night. But we can’t read them.”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
