medina

¹ American  

[muh-dee-nuh] / məˈdi nə /

noun

1. the old Arab quarter of a North African city.

---

Medina ² American  

[muh-dee-nuh, muh-dahy-nuh] / məˈdi nə, məˈdaɪ nə /

noun

1. a city in W Saudi Arabia, where Muhammad was first accepted as the supreme Prophet from Allah and where his tomb is located.

2. a town in N Ohio.

---

Medina ¹ British  

/ mɛˈdiːnə /

noun

1. Arabic name: Al Madinah.  Ancient Arabic name: Yathrib.  a city in W Saudi Arabia: the second most holy city of Islam (after Mecca), with the tomb of Mohammed; university (1960). Pop: 1 044 000 (2005 est)

---

medina ² British  

/ mɛˈdiːnə /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) the ancient quarter of any of various North African cities Compare kasbah

---

Etymology

Origin of medina

First recorded in 1905–10, medina is from the Arabic word madīna city

Example Sentences

Parts of Marrakech’s historical medina, a popular tourist attraction for Moroccans and foreigners, were damaged in the earthquake.

From Reuters • Sep. 10, 2023

In an apparent response to criticism, Saied on Friday paid a surprise visit to the Bourguiba avenue and went through the capital’s historic district, the medina.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2023

A few days later, while at a pottery factory outside the medina, I received an urgent call from Alex, the Russian guest.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2022

Built at the turn of the 18th century, its address is 0 Place de la Casbah, which underscores its central location in the modern incarnation of the medina.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2021

My father called America a goldene medina where even poor Jews could make a name for themselves, where anything was possible.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros