Protestant
/ˈprɒtɪstənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA member of any of the Western Christian churches that are separate from the Roman Catholic Church and follow the principles of the Reformation, including the Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches.
/ˈprɒtɪstənt/
A member of a Protestant church.
My neighbor is a devout Protestant who attends church every Sunday.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big family of churches that split from the main one a long time ago. These are the Protestant churches, like Baptists or Methodists. They have their own ways of worshiping and reading the Bible.
👶 For kids: A person who goes to a church that is NOT Catholic. They have their own churches and ways of worshiping.
More Examples
The Protestant population in the region is growing.
The Reformation led to a significant split between Catholics and Protestants.
How It's Used
"Many Protestants observe the Sabbath on Sunday."
"The Protestant Reformation significantly changed the religious landscape of Europe."
Relating to or denoting Protestants or their churches.
/ˈprɒtɪstənt/
Relating to or denoting the Protestants or their churches.
The church adheres to Protestant doctrines.
💡 Simply: If something is 'Protestant', it's about the Protestant churches and their beliefs, like the way they worship or what they believe in.
👶 For kids: Something that has to do with churches that are NOT Catholic. Like, a Protestant church or a Protestant way of praying.
More Examples
Protestant denominations vary in their theological perspectives.
She comes from a Protestant background.
How It's Used
"They followed Protestant traditions and beliefs."
"The Protestant movement played a significant role in shaping Western society."
Idioms & expressions
Protestant ethic
The belief that hard work, discipline, and frugality are a result of a person's values and faith, which would result in worldly success and that this worldly success is a sign of God's favor.
"The concept of the Protestant ethic is often discussed in sociology."
From Latin *prōtestāns* (present participle of *prōtestārī* 'to protest, declare publicly'). The term arose in the 16th century during the Reformation, initially referring to those who protested against the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
Historically, the term was used as a label to differentiate those who opposed the Roman Catholic Church.
Memory tip
Think of the 'protest' against the Catholic Church. Protestants 'protested' certain doctrines.