kirk

¹ American  

[kurk, kirk] / kɜrk, kɪrk /

noun

1. Chiefly Scot. and North England.  a church.

2. the Kirk, the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), as distinguished from the Church of England or the Scottish Episcopal Church.

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Kirk ² American  

[kurk] / kɜrk /

noun

1. Grayson (Louis), 1903–1997, U.S. educator: president of Columbia University 1953–68.

2. a male given name.

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kirk ¹ British  

/ kɜːk, kɪrk /

noun

1. a Scot word for church

2. a Scottish church

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Kirk ² British  

/ kɜːk, kɪrk /

noun

1. informal  the Presbyterian Church of Scotland

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Kirk ³ British  

/ kɜːk /

noun

1. Norman. 1923–74, prime minister of New Zealand (1972–74)

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Other Word Forms

• kirklike adjective

Etymology

Origin of kirk

1150–1200; Middle English (north and Scots ) < Old Norse kirkja church

Example Sentences

The 15th Century kirk, which stands next to Linlithgow Palace, was a place of royal worship and the site of Mary Queen of Scots' baptism.

From BBC

About 100 people from all aspects of Scottish life will take part in the cavalcade along the Royal Mile, arriving at the historic kirk at about 13:30.

From BBC

"After all," he said, "it is well known that Kate Forbes is a member of the free kirk, and there are certain things that logically, implicitly flow from that."

From BBC

Members of the community, school groups and charities donate, create and decorate trees for the event so that people can share in the heritage of the kirk.

From BBC

Some believe the writer avoided acknowledging their possible earlier origins for fear of upsetting the kirk.

From The Guardian