# presbyterians

/ˌpɹɛsbɪˈtɪɹiənz/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/presbyterians
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

members of a Christian church that follows a specific set of rules and has leaders called elders. They are part of a larger group of churches that started in Scotland.

For teachers: members of a Protestant denomination that follows a system of government by representative assemblies of elders. Often associated with the Reformed tradition and the historical influence of John Calvin.

## Examples

- The local presbyterians meet every Sunday morning for a service.
- Many presbyterians in the region are known for their strong emphasis on community service and social justice.
- The theological debates between the presbyterians and the Anglicans during the seventeenth century significantly shaped the religious landscape of the British Isles.

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