Mediterranean
Americannoun
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a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to or inhabiting the Mediterranean area.
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Informal. the, the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively.
adjective
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pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea.
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pertaining to or characteristic of the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea.
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surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.
noun
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short for the Mediterranean Sea
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a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country
adjective
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of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea
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denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion
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meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs
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obsolete (often not capital) situated in the middle of a landmass; inland
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Mediterranean
1585–95; < Latin mediterrāne ( us ) midland, inland ( see medium, terra, -an, -eous) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods such as vegetables, olive oil, and nuts, along with moderate amounts of fish and dairy.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026
As for the so-called Mediterranean diet—which uses the cuisines of countries such as Greece and Italy as exemplars of healthy eating—it too indulges in some mythmaking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
There never was a single Mediterranean diet: Parts of more than 20 countries border that sea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Some are shifting to Mediterranean plants, Bennellick said, "more grasses, more herbaceous perennials that can survive the drought conditions".
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
“Nothing to worry about. This is just a short trip. To Cadiz—then into the Mediterranean, to Alicante.”
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
