Prussia

American  

[pruhsh-uh] / ˈprʌʃ ə /

noun

1. a former state in N Europe: became a military power in the 18th century and in 1871 led the formation of the German empire; formally abolished as an administrative unit in 1947.

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Prussia British  

/ ˈprʌʃə /

noun

1. German name: Preussen.  a former German state in N and central Germany, extending from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic Sea and Poland: developed as the chief military power of the Continent, leading the North German Confederation from 1867–71, when the German Empire was established; dissolved in 1947 and divided between East and West Germany, Poland, and the former Soviet Union. Area: (in 1939) 294 081 sq km (113 545 sq miles)

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Prussia Cultural  

1. Former state in north-central Germany. At the height of its power, Prussia occupied more than half of present-day Germany, stretching from The Netherlands and Belgium in the west to Lithuania in the east.

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After Germany's defeat in World War II, Prussia was abolished as a state, and its territory was divided among East Germany, West Germany, the Soviet Union, and Poland.

During the eighteenth century, Prussia established its independence from Poland, built up a strong army, and undertook a successful conquest of north-central Europe.

In the nineteenth century, Prussia led the economic and political unification of the German states, establishing itself as the largest and most influential of these states, with Berlin as the capital of the German Empire.

Prussians are often depicted as authoritarian, militaristic, and extremely orderly, a characterization based on the unswerving obedience of their army.

Compare meaning

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

• Prussia vs. Germany

Example Sentences

And after defeat by Prussia in 1871, Republican leader Léon Gambetta said: "When in France a citizen is born, he is born a soldier."

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

The first Netflix House, a 100,000-square-foot space in the King of Prussia Mall, 20 miles outside Philadelphia, opens Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2025

A diplomatic revolution that turned France from rival to partner isolated Prussia and made a lasting break with Britain and the Dutch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Despite repeated defeats, Austria rejoined the war against Napoleon to help uphold a winning alliance with Britain, Russia and Prussia in the early 19th century.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

In August, while German armies were marching through Belgium, Russian troops invaded the province of East Prussia, the historic birthplace of the German Empire.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman