1
: the English nation personified : the English people
2
: a typical Englishman
John Bullish adjective
John Bullishness noun
John Bullism noun

Examples of John Bull in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In 1981: The John Bull locomotive, built by Robert Stephenson and Company, became the oldest functioning steam locomotive when the Smithsonian Institution ran it under its own steam. The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

John Bull, character typifying the English nation in The History of John Bull (1712) by John Arbuthnot

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Bull was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near John Bull

Cite this Entry

“John Bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Bull. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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