Russian

noun

Rus·​sian ˈrə-shən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
a
: a native or inhabitant of Russia
b
: a member of the dominant Slavic-speaking ethnic group of Russia
c
: a person of Russian descent
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people spoken as a second language by many non-Russian ethnic groups of the Soviet Union and its successor states
Russian adjective
Russianness
ˈrə-shən-nəs How to pronounce Russian (audio)
noun

Examples of Russian 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.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment. — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025 With notes of apple, gingersnaps and lemon meringue flavor of J Vineyards Cuvée 20 ($40) sparkling wine from Russian River Valley blends deliciously with this spicy dish. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 In excerpts from the journal, written using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet for English words, the suspect described her fascination with violence and obsession with mass shootings, particularly those that attacked schools. — Marc Santia, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025 Joint air and sea patrols have occurred off Alaska since 2023, including a joint patrol of four China Coast Guard vessels and two Russian Border Guard vessels patrolling in the Bering Sea near the US-Russia maritime border last year, according to a US Coast Guard release. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Russian

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Russian was in 1538

Phrases Containing Russian

Rhymes for Russian

See All Rhymes for Russian

Browse Nearby Words

Russia leather
Russian
Russian almond
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Cite this Entry

“Russian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Russian. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Russian

noun
Rus·​sian ˈrəsh-ən How to pronounce Russian (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Russia
2
: a Slavic language of the Russian people
Russian adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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