Middle East

American  

[mid-l eest] / ˈmɪd l ˈist /

noun

1. Also called Mideast.  (loosely) the area from Libya east to Afghanistan, usually including Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the other countries of Arabia.

2. (formerly) the area including Iran, Afghanistan, India, Tibet, and Myanmar (Burma).

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Middle East British  

noun

1. (loosely) the area around the E Mediterranean, esp Israel and the Arab countries from Turkey to North Africa and eastwards to Iran

2. (formerly) the area extending from the Tigris and Euphrates to Myanmar

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Middle East Cultural  

1. Region in western Asia and northeast Africa that includes the nations on the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt (see also Egypt), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

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Discover More

As the site of such ancient civilizations as Phoenicia, Babylon (see also Babylon), and Egypt, and the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Middle East is known as the cradle of Western civilization. The Greek Empire, Roman Empire, Persian Empire, and Ottoman Empire are among the great civilizations that developed and prospered in the Middle East.

A hotbed of religious and political strife (see Arab-Israeli conflict and Persian Gulf War), the Middle East attracted the attention of such powerful nations as Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union eager to protect their strategic interests at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and their access to precious oil reserves.

Other Word Forms

• Middle Easterner
  noun
• Middle Eastern
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Middle East

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

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

• Near East vs. Middle East

Example Sentences

Shipping companies started the year cautiously, projecting earnings declines, and warned of rising costs as the Middle East conflict disrupted their services and pushed up fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

While freight rates climbed initially due to additional surcharges for higher fuel costs following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, their continued rise as fuel prices eased pointed to demand strength, Irving said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Oil prices edged down on easing concerns over Middle East peace talks after the United States and Iran exchanged fire at the weekend.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

“All eyes are back on the Middle East after renewed tensions despite efforts to bring the war to an end,” AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould said.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Why did agricultural revolutions erupt in the Middle East, China and Central America but not in Australia, Alaska or South Africa?

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari