WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
Pu•ri•tan•ism
(pyŏŏr′i tn iz′əm),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- Religionthe principles and practices of the Puritans.
- (sometimes l.c.) extreme strictness in moral or religious matters, often to excess;
rigid austerity.
- Puritan + -ism 1565–75
Pu•ri•tan /ˈpyʊrɪtən/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Religiona member of a group of Protestants that arose in the 16th century within the Church of England, calling for the simplifying of doctrine and worship and greater strictness in religious discipline.
- [puritan] a person who is strict in moral or religious matters, often to an excessive degree.
adj.
- Religionof or relating to the Puritans.
- [puritan] of, relating to, or characteristic of a moral puritan.
Pu•ri•tan
(pyŏŏr′i tn),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
pu′ri•tan•like′, adj.
pu′ri•tan•ly, adv.
- Religiona member of a group of Protestants that arose in the 16th century within the Church of England, demanding the simplification of doctrine and worship, and greater strictness in religious discipline: during part of the 17th century the Puritans became a powerful political party.
- (l.c.) a person who is strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so.
adj.
- Religionof or pertaining to the Puritans.
- (l.c.) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a moral puritan;
puritanical.
- Late Latin pūrit(ās) purity + -an
- 1540–50
pu′ri•tan•ly, adv.
'Puritanism' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):