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Columbian

American  
[kuh-luhm-bee-uhn] / kəˈlʌm bi ən /

adjective

  1. Literary. pertaining to America or the United States.

  2. pertaining to Christopher Columbus.


noun

  1. Printing. a 16-point type of a size between English and great primer.

Columbian British  
/ kəˈlʌmbɪən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the United States

  2. relating to Christopher Columbus

"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

noun

  1. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 16 point; two-line Brevier

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of Columbian

1750–60; Columbi(a) + -an or Columb(us) + -ian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition permanently altered how the city was perceived, both domestically and abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026

The BC Lumber Trade Council, which represents British Columbian lumber producers in Canada on trade matters, in September called the new tariffs "misguided and unnecessary."

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2025

Larson centers the activities of two men in the years leading up to and during Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2025

These will remain in place "until the first planeload of Columbian deportees is successfully returned", the White House said.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2025

The men of the Columbian Guard stepped up their vigilance.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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