Jump to:

• levant
  levant

  verb (used without object)

  to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts.
• Levant
  Levant

  noun

  the lands bordering the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

levant

¹ American  

[li-vant] / lɪˈvænt /

verb (used without object)

British Slang.

1. to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts.

---

Levant ² American  

[li-vant] / lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. the lands bordering the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Also called Levant morocco.  a superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.

---

levant ¹ British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

verb

1. (intr) to bolt or abscond, esp to avoid paying debts

---

Levant ² British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. a former name for the area of the E Mediterranean now occupied by Lebanon, Syria, and Israel

---

levant ³ British  

/ lɪˈvænt /

noun

1. a type of leather made from the skins of goats, sheep, or seals, having a pattern of irregular creases

---

Levant Cultural  

1. Name for the nations on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea: Cyprus, Egypt (see also Egypt), Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

---

Other Word Forms

• levanter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of levant¹

1750–60; perhaps < Spanish levantar to lift (Compare levantar el campo to break camp, leave), frequentative of levar < Latin levāre

Origin of Levant²

1490–1500; earlier levaunt < Middle French levant, noun use (with reference to rising sun) of present participle of lever to raise ( se lever to rise). See lever

Example Sentences

But the U.A.E. and Israel agree on almost every other issue, from East Africa to the Levant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

“Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect, I repeat: have courage! The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

A study of bones found at archaeological sites suggests cats began their close relationship with humans only a few thousand years ago, and in northern Africa not the Levant.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

For decades, experts believed that Homo sapiens reached Europe mainly by traveling through the Balkans and the Levant, moving from Africa into the Middle East.

From Science Daily • Oct. 12, 2025

“I can spare Levant to help you out for a couple of hours, tops. ”

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson