Fenian
Americannoun
-
a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.
-
(in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.
noun
-
(formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland
-
Irish myth one of the Fianna
-
derogatory an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Fenian
1810–20; < Irish f éinne (genitive of fiann band of Fenians) + -ian; influenced by Old Irish f éne ancient inhabitant of Ireland
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.
Joining Galligan is Niamh McCormack, whose character is part of the rebellious Fenian Brotherhood, and Jack Gleeson, who is best known for playing Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2025
Parnell had little interest in politics until, in 1867, three Fenian volunteers were publicly hanged for a murder they had not committed.
From New York Times ● Jul. 16, 2021
I suggest keying Fenian Faith in exotics with #1 Conquering Marie, #8 Thermonuclear Energy and #9 Matilda Czech.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2019
Remember, Lady Sibyl's Fenian nuptials were also denied to us.
From Slate ● Jan. 14, 2013
The Fenian movement had practically expired; some annual motions for the introduction of Home Rule, made with all the decorum of 578 parliamentary usage, had been regularly defeated.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
