Christian

[ kris-chuh n ]

/ ˈkrɪs tʃən /

adjective

of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.

of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.

of or relating to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.

exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.

decent; respectable: They gave him a good Christian burial.

human; not brutal; humane: Such behavior isn't Christian.

noun

a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.

a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.

a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.

the hero of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.

a male given name.

Origin of Christian

1250–1300; < Latin Chrīstiānus < Greek Chrīstiānós, equivalent to Chrīst(ós) Christ + -iānos < Latin -iānus -ian; replacing Middle English, Old English cristen < Latin, as above

Definition for christian (2 of 4)

Christian

[ kris-chuh n ]

/ ˈkrɪs tʃən /

noun

Charlie,1916–42, U.S. jazz guitarist.

Definition for christian (3 of 4)

Christian IX

noun

1818–1906, king of Denmark 1863–1906.

Definition for christian (4 of 4)

Christian X

noun

1870–1947, king of Denmark 1912–47.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for christian

Congress is now 92 percent Christian, resembling more to a papal enclave than our religiously diverse nation.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Within a few swipes, I was already feeling that burst of romantic optimism you need the first day of the (Christian) new year.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Remember the Christian congressman caught snogging a staffer?
2014 Was a Delectably Good Year for Sleaze|Patricia Murphy|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And there are those who still have misgivings about exactly what “Christian rap” means.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet|Stereo Williams|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And you are very intimate, I suppose, as she called you by your Christian name?
Beatrice Boville and Other Stories|Ouida
The case has been different with the movements induced by contact with Christian forms of belief.
Introduction to the History of Religions|Crawford Howell Toy
For a man to call himself a Christian Evolutionist is (we have been told by high Orthodox authority) a contradiction in terms.
The Arena|Various
“Quae non expediunt, nec licent,” such is the conclusion arrived at by the sentiment of Christian nobility.
The Essence of Christianity|Ludwig Feuerbach
And this must be true always where our interests are truly Christian interests.
Our Lady Saint Mary|J. G. H. Barry

British Dictionary definitions for christian (1 of 3)

Christian

/ (ˈkrɪstʃən) /

noun

a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ
a member of a Christian Church or denomination

informal a person who possesses Christian virtues, esp practical ones

adjective

of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ, his teachings, example, or his followers

(sometimes not capital) exhibiting kindness or goodness

Derived Forms

Christianly, adjective, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for christian (2 of 3)

Christian

/ (ˈkrɪstʃən) /

noun

Charlie. 1919–42, US jazz guitarist

British Dictionary definitions for christian (3 of 3)

Christian X

noun

1890–1947, king of Denmark (1912–47) and Iceland (1918–44)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for christian (1 of 2)

Christian

A follower or disciple of Jesus; someone who believes Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. The New Testament mentions that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians within a few years after his death.

Culture definitions for christian (2 of 2)

Christian

A follower of Jesus and his teachings. Christian is also a descriptive term for the institutions and practices of Christianity.