Crete

American  

[kreet] / krit /

noun

1. Formerly Candia.  a Greek island in the Mediterranean, southeast of mainland Greece. 3,235 sq. mi. (8,380 sq. km). Canea.

2. Sea of Crete, a part of the south Aegean Sea lying between the Cyclades Islands and Crete.

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Crete British  

/ kriːt /

noun

1. Modern Greek name: Kríti.  a mountainous island in the E Mediterranean, the largest island of Greece: of archaeological importance for the ruins of Minoan civilization. Pop: 601 131 (2001). Area: 8331 sq km (3216 sq miles)

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Crete Cultural  

1. Island in southeastern Greece in the Mediterranean Sea.

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One of the world's earliest civilizations, the Minoan civilization, reached its peak in Crete in 1600 b.c.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands.

In Greek mythology, Crete was Minos's kingdom, where the Minotaur lived at the center of the Labyrinth.

Example Sentences

Dozens of intercepted activists disembarked on Friday at the Greek island of Crete, according to an AFP journalist.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

All the detained activists have disembarked in Crete, apart from two men who are being brought to Israel "for questioning", according to the Israeli government.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Turkey's foreign ministry said some 20 Turkish nationals in the flotilla who had been detained and taken to Crete would be repatriated.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

It might just as well be written in Latin, or Linear A — the still-undeciphered language of ancient Crete — for all its relevance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

Minos of Crete laid siege to his city, but Nisus knew that no harm would come to it as long as he had the purple lock.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton