Madeira

[ muh-deer-uh, -dair-uh; for 1, 2, 5 also Portuguese mah-de-ruh ]

noun
  1. a group of eight islands off the NW coast of Africa, part of Portugal. 308 sq. mi. (798 sq. km). Capital: Funchal.

  2. the chief island of this group. 286 sq. mi. (741 sq. km).

  1. (often lowercase) a rich, strong white or amber wine, resembling sherry, made there.

  2. (often lowercase) a similar wine made elsewhere.

  3. a river in W Brazil flowing NE to the Amazon: chief tributary of the Amazon. 2,100 miles (3,380 km) long.

Words Nearby Madeira

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Madeira in a sentence

  • A single meal could include clove, cumin, jalapeños, Madeira, sweet potatoes, and whipped heavy cream.

    The Best Thanksgiving Wines | Sophie Menin | November 19, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Madeira In a large mixing bowl, combine the tuna, vinegar, cream, parsley, salt and pepper.

    A Burgundy Wine Feast | Sophie Menin | July 4, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Pour the water, wine and Madeira into a large saucepan and set the pan over a medium-high flame until the water comes to a boil.

    A Burgundy Wine Feast | Sophie Menin | July 4, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • The system would be perfect for the mellowing of port or Madeira, but when it is applied to plum and apple jam or, when 18 pr.

  • It is expected, therefore, that Madeira will abandon the place as soon as he can get shipping together to embark the troops.

  • He unlocked his bachelor's pantry of crackers, cheese and choice Madeira, hospitality which they civilly declined.

    Alone | Marion Harland
  • The roots are tuberous, resembling Madeira vines, and they do not penetrate very deeply into the earth.

  • The dinner was well dressed, and the Madeira and claret (the only wines produced), of the best quality.

    Newton Forster | Captain Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for Madeira

Madeira

/ (məˈdɪərə, Portuguese məˈðəirə) /


noun
  1. a group of volcanic islands in the N Atlantic, west of Morocco: since 1976 an autonomous region of Portugal; consists of the chief island, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the uninhabited Deserta and Selvagen Islands. Capital: Funchal. Pop: 245 012 (2001). Area: 797 sq km (311 sq miles)

  2. a river in W Brazil, flowing northeast to the Amazon below Manaus. Length: 3241 km (2013 miles)

  1. a rich strong fortified white wine made on Madeira

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012