Iberian

[ahy-beer-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to Iberia in SW Europe, its inhabitants, or their language.

2. of or relating to ancient Iberia in the Caucasus or its inhabitants.

noun

1. one of the ancient inhabitants of Iberia in Europe, from whom the Basques are supposed to be descended.

2. the language of the ancient Iberians of SW Europe, not known to be related to any other language.

3. one of the ancient inhabitants of Iberia in Asia.

Iberian

/ aɪˈbɪərɪən /

noun

1. a member of a group of ancient Caucasoid peoples who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula in preclassical and classical times See also Celtiberian

2. a native or inhabitant of the Iberian Peninsula; a Spaniard or Portuguese

3. a native or inhabitant of ancient Iberia in the Caucasus

adjective

1. denoting, or relating to the pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula or of Caucasian Iberia

2. of or relating to the Iberian Peninsula, its inhabitants, or any of their languages

Other Word Forms

• trans-Iberian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Iberian¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; Iberi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Sanabria Lake, the largest glacial body of water in the Iberian peninsula, is a major local attraction, surrounded by a natural park.

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Spain and Portugal have been hit especially hard, with roughly 1% of the entire Iberian Peninsula scorched, according to EU scientists.

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Spain's Aemet meteorological agency said that several places across the Iberian peninsula had topped 43C, but a respite in temperatures was on its way from Thursday.

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Southern Italy and the Iberian peninsula are also identified as being at high risk due to climate change.

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Nearby, another uses a carving knife to cut slices from a large leg of jamón ibérico, or Iberian ham, placing each one on a plate, to be served as an appetiser.

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