levant
verb (used without object)
to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts.
levant
1 American
[li-vant]
/ lɪˈvænt /
verb (used without object)
British Slang.
Levant
2
American
[li-vant]
/ lɪˈvænt /
noun
-
the lands bordering the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
-
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 a superior grade of morocco leather having a large and prominent grain, originally made in the Levant.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
levant
2
British
/ lɪˈvænt /
noun
Levant
3
British
/ lɪˈvænt /
noun
Levant
Cultural
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
New York & London: Wiley and Putnam. 1842. 12mo, citron levant morocco, gilt back, gilt over rough edges, by David.
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
Imperial 8vo, half blue levant morocco, gilt back, gilt top, uncut edges, by Bedford.
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
Imperial 8vo, green levant morocco, gilt back and sides, gilt edges, by Bedford.
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
M.DCC.XCIII. 8vo, two volumes, red levant morocco, gilt back, gilt top, uncut edges, by Rivière.
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
Post 8vo, three volumes, half maroon levant morocco, gilt top, uncut edges, by V. Krafft.
From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various
The likes of Saint Levant, Dystinct and Khaled are headlining the one-day festival, which feels like a step forward for Arabic music fan Mariam Azam.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
“This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue,” Levant said in his opening testimony.
From Barron's ● May 20, 2026
Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that modern apes may have originated in northern Afro-Arabia, the Levant, or the eastern Mediterranean.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 27, 2026
He starred in a middling revival of the musical “Promises, Promises,” and won a Tony for playing Oscar Levant in “Good Night, Oscar”—despite being flagrantly miscast, in my view.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
Evidence of such settlements has been discovered throughout the Middle East, particularly in the Levant, where the Natufian culture flourished from 12,500 BC to 9500 BC.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
