nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnən How to pronounce nun (audio)
Synonyms of nunnext
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
nunlike
ˈnən-ˌlīk How to pronounce nun (audio)
adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈnu̇n How to pronounce nun (audio)
: 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
Now, 11 nuns, from ages 38 to 85 live in the Catholic monastery. — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026 Tenzin, born Barbara Emi, spent years as a Buddhist nun, studying under the Dalai Lama. — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 The Diocese of Hamilton bought the site in 2019, but nuns continue to live on the premises. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 The nuns cooked dinner every night, often leaving leftovers for residents to take to work for lunch the next day. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for nun

See All Rhymes for nun

Browse Nearby Words

numskull
nun
nun's veiling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nun

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