Columbian

American  

[kuh-luhm-bee-uhn] / kəˈlʌm bi ən /

adjective

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

2. pertaining to Christopher Columbus.

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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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

• post-Columbian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Columbian

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

Example Sentences

The Columbian exchange had brought calorie-rich crops such as the potato to Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 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

Oscar, a Columbian who would only give us his first name, was wandering the halls of the market with bags filled with fluffy bunnies and bears.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 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

“Some distinctive feature is needed,” Burnham continued, “something to take the relative position in the World’s Columbian Exposition that was filled by the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Exposition.”

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