soviet

1 of 2

noun

so·​vi·​et ˈsō-vē-ˌet 

ˈsä-,

-vē-ət

1

: an elected governmental council in a Communist country

2

Soviets plural

a

: bolsheviks

b

: the people and especially the political and military leaders of the Soviet Union

sovietism

ˈsō-vē-ə-ˌti-zəm 

ˈsä-

noun often capitalized

Soviet

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Soviet Union or its people

Soviet history/policy

a Soviet spy

Soviet dissidents

Examples of soviet in a Sentence

Noun

disputes between Americans and Soviets

The plan was opposed by the Soviets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In September, the United States responded by expelling 25 Soviets from their UN mission in New York, and the next month, another 55 from the Soviet embassy in Washington and the consulate in San Francisco. —Daniel Fried, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2018

Only in the latter half of its 44-year run fighting Soviets and protecting popes has the G-class served as a glorified Rodeo Drive shopping cart. —Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023

Adjective

Nevertheless, the disconcertingly exuberant Miliband exudes the confidence of a Soviet central planner of the high Stalinist era, convinced that determination, coercion, and the arc of history will overcome ... —Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 3 Feb. 2025

Lithuania, once under Soviet occupation until 1990, remains deeply concerned about Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and its increasingly aggressive posture. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Russian sovet council, soviet

First Known Use

Noun

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soviet

• anti-Soviet
• Supreme Soviet

Kids Definition

soviet

noun

so·​vi·​et ˈsōv-ē-ˌet 

ˈsäv-,

-ē-ət

1

a

: an elected governing council in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

2

plural capitalized : the people and especially the political and military leaders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

soviet adjective often capitalized

Etymology

Noun

from Russian sovet "council"