n
a member of any of the Christian groups that separated from the Roman Catholic Church led by the Pope in Rome in the 16th century, or of their branches formed later. Protestant Churches usually have simpler ceremonies than Roman Catholic Churches, with more emphasis on preaching (= teaching about religion) and the authority of the Bible. Most Christians in the US and Britain are Protestants, and the Church of England and Church of Scotland are Protestant Churches. Other Protestant Churches include the Methodists , the Baptists , the Presbyterians and the Quakers . Disagreements between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland have led to the conflict known as the Troubles .
See also Reformation .
► Protestant adj
► Protestantism n [ U ]
the beliefs and teachings of Protestants, or Protestants as a group.