medina

¹ American  

[muh-dee-nuh] / məˈdi nə /

noun

1. the old Arab quarter of a North African city.

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Medina ² American  

[muh-dee-nuh, muh-dahy-nuh] / məˈdi nə, məˈdaɪ nə /

noun

1. a city in W Saudi Arabia, where Muhammad was first accepted as the supreme Prophet from Allah and where his tomb is located.

2. a town in N Ohio.

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Medina ¹ British  

/ mɛˈdiːnə /

noun

1. Arabic name: Al Madinah.  Ancient Arabic name: Yathrib.  a city in W Saudi Arabia: the second most holy city of Islam (after Mecca), with the tomb of Mohammed; university (1960). Pop: 1 044 000 (2005 est)

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medina ² British  

/ mɛˈdiːnə /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) the ancient quarter of any of various North African cities Compare kasbah

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Etymology

Origin of medina

First recorded in 1905–10, medina is from the Arabic word madīna city

Example Sentences

Parts of Marrakech’s historical medina, a popular tourist attraction for Moroccans and foreigners, were damaged in the earthquake.

From Reuters • Sep. 10, 2023

Young boys can be seen playing the game on the streets or on dusty fields, from the snowy foothills of the Atlas Mountains to the medina of Marrakech.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2022

I explained that porters linger in the parking areas outside the medina and will cart bags through the car-free zone, sometimes without asking first.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2022

Sevigny’s Saarinen Womb chair, one of the pieces he salvaged from the castle, has been reupholstered in red wool tweed from a local store in the medina.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2021

Over and over, I had seen the truth on the washing table—this goldene medina demanded you to sacrifice your body.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros