Mediterranean

American  

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

noun

1. Mediterranean Sea.

2. a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to or inhabiting the Mediterranean area.

3. Informal. the, the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively.

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adjective

1. pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea.

2. pertaining to or characteristic of the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea.

3. surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.

Mediterranean British  

/ ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪnɪən /

noun

1. short for the Mediterranean Sea

2. a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country

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adjective

1. of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea

2. denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion

3. meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs

4. obsolete (often not capital) situated in the middle of a landmass; inland

Other Word Forms

• non-Mediterranean
  noun
• trans-Mediterranean
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of Mediterranean

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Mediterranean

In March, French newspaper Le Monde was able to locate the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in almost real time in the eastern Mediterranean, thanks to a sailor on board using the app.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

Among American consumers, it was more popular than eating low-carb or Mediterranean diets, according to a recent survey.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

They would also allow Scotland to produce more Mediterranean vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, and even melons, according to Pete Ritchie from campaign organisation Nourish Scotland.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

At Maçakizi Restaurant, the one-Michelin-star restaurant at the Maçakizi Hotel, chef Aret Sahakyan serves a range of farm-to-table fare inspired by different Mediterranean regions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

And a British battleship shelled and destroyed a Turkish fort guarding the Dardanelles, the narrow sea channel leading from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and Russia beyond.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

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