Russian
Noun pluralRussians
PluralRussians
FormsRussians, Russianing, Russianed
- 1Having to do with Russia, its people, its culture, or the Russian language.
The Russian delegation arrived for the trade talks.
He grew up eating Russian food every day.
Note
- 2A person from Russia, or a person whose family belongs to the Russian people.
As a Russian, she needed to renew her passport before traveling.
Millions of Russians voted in the national election.
- 3The main language spoken by people in Russia.
She speaks Russian fluently after living in Moscow for years.
Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet.
SimilarRuss
Less common meanings
- 4Connected with the former Soviet Union and its government.
The Russian rocket carried the first man into space in 1961.
During the Cold War, Americans worried about Russian missiles in Cuba.
SimilarSoviet
Note
- 5A person who came from the former Soviet Union.
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- 6Connected with Rus, an early medieval land of the Slavs.
The Russian princes of that era ruled from Kiev.
Early Russian princes ruled from Kiev, long before Moscow mattered.
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- 7A type of pet cat with short blue-gray fur that comes from Russia.
The Russian is prized for its dense, plush coat.
Many breeders consider the Russian one of the calmest breeds.
- 8A type of sausage based on a Russian recipe called kolbasa.
We bought two Russians at the shop and grilled them for lunch.
She layered thin slices of Russian over the cheese.
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- 9To force someone to act because of Russian pressure.
Note
- 10A juggling ball with a hard shell, filled with sand or salt.
Ok, I do think I am starting to get used to it, but you have to admit, if youve^([sic]) been juggling bags and then start juggling Russians, they feel sooo lopsided to juggle at first!
2011, jamescoutry24, “Beanbags > Russian”Here, Russians means juggling balls with hard shells filled with sand or salt. - 11A gun, used as slang by some gang members.
- 12A person from the Brandon Estate, a place nicknamed Moscow.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Medieval Latin Russianus, from Russia, which comes from the Old East Slavic word Rusĭ. It has been used in English since the 16th century.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- English Russian comes from Medieval Latin Russianus. en.wiktionary.org
- Medieval Latin Russianus derives from Russia. en.wiktionary.org
- Russia derives from Old East Slavic Rusĭ. en.wiktionary.org
- Russian has been used in English since the 16th century. en.wiktionary.org