nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
nunlike adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of nun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The nuns are pushing for change at major companies through shareholder activism. 6:19 In the quiet town of Atchison, Kansas, an unlikely group of activists is taking on some of America's biggest corporations -- not through protests on the streets, but through the stock market. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025 Written and directed by Warwick Thornton, the Australian filmmaker behind titles like Sweet Country and Samson & Delilah, The New Boy takes place in 1940s Australia at a remote monastery with a mission for Aboriginal children run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Blanchett). Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025 After his death in a plane crash, Korda leaves his wealth to his only daughter Liesel, a nun (portrayed by Mia Threapleton). Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Kim Mulkey and Louisiana Tech had Immaculata with front-row nuns as archrival. Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nun

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English nunne, from Late Latin nonna

Noun (2)

Hebrew nūn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nun was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

nun

noun
ˈnən
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one living under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

More from Merriam-Webster on nun

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!