Middle Ages

American  

plural noun

1. the time in European history between classical antiquity and the Italian Renaissance (from about 500 a.d. to about 1350): sometimes restricted to the later part of this period (after 1100) and sometimes extended to 1450 or 1500.

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Middle Ages British  

noun

1. (broadly) the period from the end of classical antiquity (or the deposition of the last W Roman emperor in 476 _ad ) to the Italian Renaissance (or the fall of Constantinople in 1453)

2. (narrowly) the period from about 1000 _ad to the 15th century Compare Dark Ages

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Middle Ages Cultural  

1. The period of European history between ancient and modern times. The Middle Ages began with the Fall of Rome in the fifth century and ended with the Renaissance. The Middle Ages are associated with many beliefs and practices that now seem out of date, such as chivalry, feudalism, the Inquisition, the belief that the sun revolves around the Earth, and a host of popular superstitions. The early Middle Ages are even sometimes called the Dark Ages. The Middle Ages, however, especially in later years, also saw many notable human achievements. Among these were the building of modern nations, such as England and France; increasingly sophisticated and expanded trade; a great advancement of technique in philosophy and theology; some remarkable works of literature (see The Canterbury Tales, The Divine Comedy); and the building of magnificent churches (see Chartres and Notre Dame de Paris).

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Etymology

Origin of Middle Ages

1715–25; plural of Middle Age, translation of New Latin Medium Aevum

Compare meaning

How does middle-ages compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• medieval vs. Middle Ages
• Dark Ages vs. Middle Ages

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Middle Ages

Plagues have existed throughout history, said Heeney, from the Black Death of the Middle Ages ages to the 1918-20 influenza pandemic which killed an estimated 25-50 million globally.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

It would be like trying to describe the Middle Ages.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026

New research has now overturned that assumption, revealing that the artifacts are actually medieval and provide rare insight into the movement of weapons, trade, and military activity across the Mediterranean during the Late Middle Ages.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026

In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs and noblewomen wore embellished braided wigs to show power, and in the Middle Ages, women's long hair became associated with femininity and virtue.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

Even for valuable crops, the times of domestication vary greatly: for instance, peas were domesticated by 8000 B.C., olives around 4000 B.C., strawberries not until the Middle Ages, and pecans not until 1846.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• midlife