nonsectarian

[non-sek-tair-ee-uh n]

adjective

not affiliated with or limited to a specific religious denomination.

Origin of nonsectarian

First recorded in 1825–35; non- + sectarian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for non-sectarian

multicultural, open, interracial, multiracial, nonracial, nonsectarian

Examples from the Web for non-sectarian

Contemporary Examples of non-sectarian

When he tried to be non-sectarian, he lost his sectarian allies.
Iraq's Last Election?
Michael Hastings
March 3, 2010
When he tacked back towards sectarianism, he lost his non-sectarian allies.
Iraq's Last Election?
Michael Hastings
March 3, 2010

Historical Examples of non-sectarian

It is not the Catholics only that have joined this movement; it is non-sectarian.
Just Irish
Charles Battell Loomis
A notable part of the speech was a defence of free, non-sectarian education.
George Brown
John Lewis
I meant to say "non-sectarian," but in my surprise and horror I regret to say that I said, "vegetarian."
Bab: A Sub-Deb
Mary Roberts Rinehart
This home is non-sectarian in its management and in its work.
Commercialized Prostitution in New York City
George Jackson Kneeland
Non-sectarian in spirit and thoroughly comprehensive in scope.
Bahaism and Its Claims
Samuel Graham Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for non-sectarian

nonsectarian

adjective

not narrow-minded, esp as a result of rigid adherence to a particular sect; broad-minded

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

Word Origin and History for non-sectarian

adj.

also nonsectarian, 1831, from non- + sectarian.