pre-Christian

adjective

pre-Chris·​tian (ˌ)prē-ˈkris-chən How to pronounce pre-Christian (audio)
-ˈkrish-
: of, relating to, or being a time before the beginning of the Christian era

Examples of pre-Christian 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.
As a holiday, Ferragosto’s roots are pre-Christian, tracing back to Emperor Augustus, who declared the end of the harvest a time of rest. — Catherine Fairweather, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026 Theologically, most Druids are polytheists, engaging with a wide range of deities and spirits, especially those drawn from the pre-Christian pantheons of linguistically Celtic societies in Ireland, Britain, or Gaul. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Well, there’s this ancient pre-Christian festival twice a year called the Eisteddfod. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 There are flashes of overwhelming tenderness and wind-stopping moments, and the songs are generally rich and full of character, populated by her usual cast of gay witches, Southern Baptist girls, medicine women, saints, and pre-Christian gods. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pre-Christian

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pre-Christian was in 1828

Rhymes for pre-Christian

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Browse Nearby Words

prechlorination
pre-Christian
pre-Christmas
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Cite this Entry

“Pre-Christian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-Christian. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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