Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən 

 especially British  -shən

1

: one of the people of Persia: such as

a

: one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors founded an empire in southwest Asia

b

: a member of one of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality

2

a

: any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia at different periods

b

: the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan see Indo-European Languages Table

3

: a thin soft silk formerly used especially for linings

4

: persian cat

Persian adjective

Examples of Persian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On our way to the airport, the sun shone gracefully above the Persian Gulf. —Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024

Other honorable mentions for largest breed include the Persian, Savannah cat, Norwegian Forest cat and Turkish Van, according to Purina. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024

That’s why regimes including Putin’s Russia, Communist China, and the wealthy monarchies of the Persian Gulf have invested so heavily through the years to associate themselves—much in the same way automakers or beer brands do—with sport. —Andrés Martinez, TIME, 15 Sep. 2024

Now is the time for a political deal, backed by the United States and moderate Arab nations, that stabilizes Gaza and brings in Persian Gulf and international funds to bring in humanitarian aid and rebuild. —Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Persian

• Middle Persian
• Old Persian
• Persian cat
• Persian lamb

Kids Definition

Persian

noun

Per·​sian ˈpər-zhən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of ancient Persia or modern Iran

2

: the language of the Persians

Persian adjective