Mennonite

American  

[men-uh-nahyt] / ˈmɛn əˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a member of an evangelical Protestant sect, originating in Europe in the 16th century, that opposes infant baptism, practices baptism of believers only, restricts marriage to members of the denomination, opposes war and bearing arms, and is noted for simplicity of living and plain dress.

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Mennonite British  

/ ˈmɛnəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a member of a Protestant sect that rejects infant baptism, Church organization, and the doctrine of transubstantiation and in most cases refuses military service, public office, and the taking of oaths

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Other Word Forms

• Mennonitism noun

Etymology

Origin of Mennonite

1555–65; < German Mennonit; named after Menno Simons (1492–1559), Frisian religious leader; -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does mennonite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Amish vs. Mennonite

Example Sentences

Cases were concentrated in close-knit Mennonite communities where people relied on home remedies before seeking medical care.

From Salon

Mennonites are a Christian group with roots in 16th-Century Germany and Holland, who have since settled in other parts of the world, including Canada, Mexico and the US.

From BBC

Health officials say that measles spread is occurring mostly in neighbourhoods where vaccination rates are lower, such as Mennonite communities in Texas that opt out of modern medicine.

From BBC

A Mennonite doctor in Andrews County gained community members' trust and encouraged them to get vaccinated, said Mr Mattimoe.

From BBC

In February, a six-year-old girl in the local Mennonite community who was not vaccinated against the virus was the first child to die of measles in the US in a decade.

From BBC