Mediterranean

[med-i-tuh-rey-nee-uhn]

noun

1. Mediterranean Sea.

2. a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to or inhabiting the Mediterranean area.

3. Informal.,  the, the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively.

adjective

1. pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea.

2. pertaining to or characteristic of the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea.

3. surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.

Mediterranean

/ ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪnɪən /

noun

1. short for the Mediterranean Sea

2. a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country

adjective

1. of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea

2. denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion

3. meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs

4. obsolete,  (often not capital) situated in the middle of a landmass; inland

Other Word Forms

• non-Mediterranean noun
• trans-Mediterranean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean¹

1585–95; < Latin mediterrāne ( us ) midland, inland ( medium, terra, -an, -eous ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean¹

C16: from Latin mediterrāneus, from medius middle + -terrāneus, from terra land, earth

Example Sentences

During the protest, dozens of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa recounted what they endured in Libya, and a minute of silence was held for those who died trying to cross the Mediterranean.

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Behind them is the Bel Espoir, a schooner vessel on which the youths -- whether from Libya and Egypt or France and Bosnia -- have been sailing the Mediterranean to promote peace.

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Sea surface temperatures between July and September were more than 0.25C above the previous high of 2022 - a big increase across an area roughly ten times the size of the Mediterranean.

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As it was returning from its deployment in the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy said it tracked the vessel over three days, from 7 to 9 October.

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The severe weather has been driven by Storm Alice in the western Mediterranean.

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