Standard Lemma guide

Sheldonian

adj · name · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ʃɛlˈdəʊnɪ.ən/
  • rhymes with -əʊniən

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of or pertaining to Gilbert Sheldon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

name

Meaning 2

Clipping of Sheldonian Theatre.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, clipping

Qualifier: Oxford City

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Sheldon + -ian, named after Archbishop of Canterbury and university chancellor Gilbert Sheldon (1598–1677), whose endowment funded Oxford University's Sheldonian Theatre.