Dictionary.com

Mediterranean

[ med-i-tuh-rey-nee-uhn ]
/ ˌmɛd ɪ təˈreɪ ni ən /

noun

Mediterranean Sea.
a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to or inhabiting the Mediterranean area.
the, Informal. the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively.

adjective

pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea.
pertaining to or characteristic of the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea.
surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ IF A DAZZLING VOCABULARY IS YOUR DESIDERATUM!

Have the Words of the Day from October 19–25, 2020, made an indelible mark on your memory? Take the quiz to find out!
Question 1 of 7
What does “clement” mean?
having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.
mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.
favorite; cherished.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Mediterranean

1585–95; <Latin mediterrāne(us) midland, inland (see medium, terra, -an, -eous) + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM Mediterranean

non-Med·i·ter·ra·ne·an, noun, adjectivetrans-Med·i·ter·ra·ne·an, adjective

Words nearby Mediterranean

mediotarsal amputation, Medit., meditate, meditation, meditative, Mediterranean, Mediterranean anemia, Mediterranean climate, Mediterranean exanthematous fever, Mediterranean fever, Mediterranean flour moth
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for Mediterranean

British Dictionary definitions for Mediterranean

Mediterranean
/ (ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪnɪən) /

noun

short for the Mediterranean Sea
a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country

adjective

of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea
denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion
meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs
(often not capital) obsolete situated in the middle of a landmass; inland

Word Origin for Mediterranean

C16: from Latin mediterrāneus, from medius middle + -terrāneus, from terra land, earth
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