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• Hessian
  Hessian

  adjective

  of or relating to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.
• hessian
  hessian

  noun

  a coarse jute fabric similar to sacking, used for bags, upholstery, etc

Hessian

American  

[hesh-uhn] / ˈhɛʃ ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse.

2. a Hessian mercenary used by England during the American Revolution.

3. a hireling or ruffian.

4. (lowercase) burlap.

5. Also called Hessian andiron.  (in the U.S.) an andiron having as an upright the figure of a Hessian soldier of the Revolutionary War.

Hessian ¹ British  

/ ˈhɛsɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse

2. 1. a Hessian soldier in any of the mercenary units of the British Army in the War of American Independence or the Napoleonic Wars

   2. any German mercenary in the British Army during the War of American Independence

3. a mercenary or ruffian

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adjective

1. of or relating to Hesse or its inhabitants

hessian ² British  

/ ˈhɛsɪən /

noun

1. a coarse jute fabric similar to sacking, used for bags, upholstery, etc

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Other Word Forms

• half-Hessian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hessian

1670–80; Hesse, Germany + -ian

Example Sentences

Desperate, he led his army back across the Delaware River through a howling nor’easter on Christmas night to attack the surprised Hessian garrison at Trenton, N.J.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Mazzei’s vineyards showed promise but, according to one legend, were destroyed during the Revolutionary War by rambunctious Hessian prisoners bivouacked there.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2023

Maniscalco was the co-founder of the Hessian Motorcycle Club.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2023

Two battalions and one regiment of Hessian soldiers advanced through the barrage.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2022

The Hessian line was standing erect, guns high, aiming.

From "The Fighting Ground" by Avi