Dryden

American

[drahyd-n] / ˈdraɪd n /

noun

John, 1631–1700, English poet, dramatist, and critic.

Dryden British

/ ˈdraɪdən /

noun

John. 1631–1700, English poet, dramatist, and critic of the Augustan period, commonly regarded as the chief exponent of heroic tragedy. His major works include the tragedy All for Love (1677), the verse satire Absalom and Achitophel (1681), and the Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668)

"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

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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.

The venue, the museum’s Dryden Theatre, is relatively small at 500 seats, and demand is high, not for specific titles but for the opportunity to see any given movie on nitrate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Earlier, Milne's older sister, Felicity Dryden, told the court she spoke to Milne after he was held overnight by police.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

In the next concert March 25, Handel’s “Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day,“ a setting of poetry by John Dryden, took even fewer risks, at least for anyone with a love for music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025

Labour councillor for the area, Robert Dryden, said the festival had lost money in 2024, but the cancellation came as a "big shock" that would "disappoint lots of people".

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025

“Yes, the plays were the best. Wonderful ones by Dryden and Shakespeare and Otway.”

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023