soviet

[soh-vee-et, -it, soh-vee-et]

noun

1. (in the Soviet Union).

   1. (before the revolution) any governmental council.

   2. (after the revolution) a local council, originally elected only by manual workers, with certain powers of local administration.

   3. (after the revolution) a higher council elected by a local council, being part of a hierarchy of soviets culminating in the Supreme Soviet.

2. any similar council or assembly connected with a socialistic governmental system elsewhere.

3. (initial capital letter),  Often Soviets. a governing official or person living in the Soviet Union.

   The Soviets have denied our charge.

adjective

1. of or relating to a soviet.

2. (initial capital letter),  of the Soviet Union.

   a Soviet statesman.

soviet

¹

/ ˈsɒv-, ˈsəʊvɪət /

noun

1. (in the former Soviet Union) an elected government council at the local, regional, and national levels, which culminated in the Supreme Soviet

2. (in prerevolutionary Russia) a local revolutionary council

adjective

1. of or relating to a soviet

Soviet

²

/ ˈsəʊvɪət, ˈsɒv- /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to the former Soviet Union, its people, or its government

Other Word Forms

• sovietdom noun
• anti-Soviet noun
• pro-Soviet adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soviet¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from Russian sovét “council, counsel, advice,” Old Russian, Old Church Slavonic sŭvětŭ, equivalent to sŭ- “together, with” + větŭ “counsel”; loan translation of Greek symboúlion

Word History and Origins

Origin of soviet¹

C20: from Russian sovyet council, from Old Russian sŭvĕtŭ

Example Sentences

"It's not open access, it's only if you say the right things, and good grief, that's like soviet Russia."

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“China respects the sovereign status of the former soviet countries after the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

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That included soviet era tanks, air defence systems and ammunition.

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Russia is a strong ally of Belarus, and has remained steadfast in its support of the former soviet nation and its government.

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Wynne formed a partnership with a soviet military officer that helped prevent nuclear war and put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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