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

They were designed to simulate Scud missiles, like the ones Iraq fired at Israel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Iran’s Shahab series of ballistic missiles. —Paul Iddon, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Foreign tensions escalate even further in Season 2 of The Diplomat as Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) continues investigating the bombing of a British aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024

Flight bookings to London over the festive period are already 11 percent higher than in 2023, driven by visitors from the Persian Gulf, China and the U.S. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

The United Arab Emirates is expanding its resort profile with casino gambling approved at the under-construction $3.9 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort on 115 acres in the Ras Al Khaimah emirate on the Arabian Gulf inlet of the Persian Gulf. —Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 18 Oct. 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