Byzantine

American  

[biz-uhn-teen, -tahyn, bahy-zuhn-, bih-zan-tin] / ˈbɪz ənˌtin, -ˌtaɪn, ˈbaɪ zən-, bɪˈzæn tɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to Byzantium.

2. of or relating to the Byzantine Empire.

3. noting or pertaining to the architecture of the Byzantine Empire and to architecture influenced by or imitating it: characterized by masonry construction, round arches, impost blocks, low domes on pendentives, the presence of fine, spiky foliage patterns in low relief on stone capitals and moldings, and the use of frescoes, mosaics, and revetments of fine stone to cover whole interiors.

4. Fine Arts. pertaining to or designating the style of the fine or decorative arts developed and elaborated in the Byzantine Empire and its provinces: characterized chiefly by an ecclesiastically prescribed iconography, highly formal structure, severe confinement of pictorial space to a shallow depth, and the use of rich, often sumptuous color.

5. (sometimes lowercase) complex or intricate.

   a deal requiring Byzantine financing.

6. (sometimes lowercase) characterized by elaborate scheming and intrigue, especially for the gaining of political power or favor.

   Byzantine methods for holding on to his chairmanship.

7. of or relating to the Byzantine Church.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Byzantium.

Byzantine British  

/ bɪˈzænˌtaɪn, ˈbɪzənˌtiːn, baɪ-, bɪˈzæntaɪˌnɪzəm, -tiː, -ˌtaɪn, -ˌtiːn, -taɪ-, baɪ-, ˈbɪzəntiːˌnɪzəm /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire

2. of, relating to, or characterizing the Orthodox Church or its rites and liturgy

3. of or relating to the highly coloured stylized form of religious art developed in the Byzantine Empire

4. of or relating to the style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by massive domes with square bases, rounded arches, spires and minarets, and the extensive use of mosaics

5. denoting the Medieval Greek spoken in the Byzantine Empire

6. (of attitudes, etc) inflexible or complicated

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noun

1. an inhabitant of Byzantium

Other Word Forms

• Byzantinism noun
• pre-Byzantine adjective

Etymology

Origin of Byzantine

1590–1600; < Late Latin Bȳzantīnus of Byzantium; -ine ¹

Example Sentences

In antiquity, the city of Tyre was at various times Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

So far, only about 30 have been recovered from the rubble, including a piece of a Byzantine sarcophagus lid and pottery jars.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

The town’s dominant monument is Little Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church that in the eighth century hosted the last ecumenical council recognized by both the Eastern and Western churches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Embody the Mediterranean way of life from the comfort of Los Angeles with Gohar World’s newest collection, inspired by Byzantine mosaics, the ports of Marseille, Egyptian fishing villages and spice markets in Istanbul.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025

His biography in the Suda, a Byzantine encyclopedia dating from the tenth century ce, states that Eratosthenes’ father was named either Aglaos or Ambrosios.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro