Wittenberg

American  

[wit-n-burg, vit-n-berk] / ˈwɪt nˌbɜrg, ˈvɪt nˌbɛrk /

noun

1. a city in central eastern Germany, on the Elbe, where Luther taught in the university and launched the Reformation in 1517 by posting his Ninety-Five Theses on a church door.

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Wittenberg British  

/ ˈvɪtənbɛrk, ˈwɪtənˌbɜːɡ /

noun

1. a city in E Germany, on the River Elbe, in Brandenburg: Martin Luther, as a philosophy teacher at Wittenberg university, began the Reformation here in 1517 by nailing his 95 theses to the doors of a church. Pop: 46 295 (2003 est)

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Etymology

Origin of Wittenberg

Literally, “white mountain,” from Low German witt “white” + German Berg “mountain”; cf. iceberg ( def. ), white ( def. )

Example Sentences

Wittenberg, better known to many as a cradle of the Protestant Reformation, is also home to a chemical plant founded in 1915, in the midst of World War I.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

In 1517 Martin Luther had posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany, and by 1528 Basel, nearly 400 miles away, was in the throes of unrest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi of the Masorti strand of modern-traditional Judaism, was also positive: "Judaism is a deeply resilient religion."

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

“Often the people that are going into these programs are the sickest of the sick,” said Cathy Pederson, a neurobiologist at Wittenberg University in Ohio and the lead author of the study.

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

Within a week of the celebration of King Hamlet’s rule, Prince Hamlet returned to Wittenberg.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein