Middle Ages

American  

plural noun

1. the time in European history between classical antiquity and the Italian Renaissance (from about 500 a.d. to about 1350): sometimes restricted to the later part of this period (after 1100) and sometimes extended to 1450 or 1500.

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Middle Ages British  

noun

1. (broadly) the period from the end of classical antiquity (or the deposition of the last W Roman emperor in 476 _ad ) to the Italian Renaissance (or the fall of Constantinople in 1453)

2. (narrowly) the period from about 1000 _ad to the 15th century Compare Dark Ages

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Middle Ages Cultural  

1. The period of European history between ancient and modern times. The Middle Ages began with the Fall of Rome in the fifth century and ended with the Renaissance. The Middle Ages are associated with many beliefs and practices that now seem out of date, such as chivalry, feudalism, the Inquisition, the belief that the sun revolves around the Earth, and a host of popular superstitions. The early Middle Ages are even sometimes called the Dark Ages. The Middle Ages, however, especially in later years, also saw many notable human achievements. Among these were the building of modern nations, such as England and France; increasingly sophisticated and expanded trade; a great advancement of technique in philosophy and theology; some remarkable works of literature (see The Canterbury Tales, The Divine Comedy); and the building of magnificent churches (see Chartres and Notre Dame de Paris).

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Etymology

Origin of Middle Ages

1715–25; plural of Middle Age, translation of New Latin Medium Aevum

Compare meaning

How does middle-ages compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• medieval vs. Middle Ages
• Dark Ages vs. Middle Ages

Example Sentences

In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs and noblewomen wore embellished braided wigs to show power, and in the Middle Ages, women's long hair became associated with femininity and virtue.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

It was written in Old English, the language spoken in England during the early Middle Ages.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

The Harvard Art Museums offer a comprehensive survey of the Celtic aesthetic—full of sinuous and sophisticated abstract forms—from the Iron Age into the Middle Ages and beyond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

By the Middle Ages, pretzels rose in popularity across Europe, so much so that it was documented in religious manuscripts.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

This view, that the agglomerate of earth and water was not a perfect sphere, was universally accepted in the later Middle Ages, and the new cosmography required its refutation.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• midlife