Nicholas

American  

[nik-uh-luhs, nik-luhs] / ˈnɪk ə ləs, ˈnɪk ləs /

noun

1. German Nikolaus von Cusa.  of Cusa 1401–1464, German cardinal, mathematician, and philosopher.

2. Grand Duke, 1856–1929, Russian general in World War I.

3. Saint, flourished 4th century a.d., bishop in Asia Minor: patron saint of Russia; protector of children and prototype of the legendary Santa Claus.

4. a male given name: from Greek words meaning “victory” and “people.”

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Nicholas British  

/ ˈnɪkələs /

noun

1. Saint. 4th-century _ad bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor; patron saint of Russia and of children, sailors, merchants, and pawnbrokers. Feast day: Dec 6 See also Santa Claus

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Usage

What is St. Nicholas Day? St. Nicholas Day is a Christian holiday—the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas is best known as the basis of the legendary Santa Claus. As a bishop in Asia Minor around the 4th century c.e., he was known for his generosity and as a protector of children. He is the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants, and of Russia and Greece. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated by Catholics and members of the Eastern Orthodox Church, among other Christians. Celebration of St. Nicholas Day sometimes involves children laying out their shoes (or sometimes socks) on the night before in the hopes that treats are placed in them overnight (much like the tradition of Christmas stockings).

Example Sentences

Lead researcher Dr Nicholas Tiller explains: "They are designed to give very confident, very authoritative responses, and that conveys a sense of credibility, so the user assumes that it must know what it's talking about."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Nicholas Penaranda had three RBIs and Foss Bohlen threw 5 1/3 innings of hitless relief.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

On Substack recently, Nicholas Thompson, the CEO of the Atlantic, shared a writer’s account of using Claude to build a custom editing rubric while instructing the A.I.,

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Unless oil prices climb to a new peak, the S&P 500 index probably won’t retest its March lows, said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research, in a note shared with MarketWatch on Tuesday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Tsar Nicholas II originally bestowed the title in 1914; it was being used in 1954 and is still awarded today.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady