region

American  

[ree-juhn] / ˈri dʒən /

noun

1. an extensive, continuous part of a surface, space, or body.

   a region of the earth.

   Synonyms:

   portion, section, area

2. Usually regions. the vast or indefinite entirety of a space or area, or something compared to one.

   the regions of the firmament; the regions of the mind.

3. a part of the earth's surface (land or sea) of considerable and usually indefinite extent.

   a tropical region.

4. a district without respect to boundaries or extent.

   a charming region in Connecticut.

   Synonyms:

   quarter, tract, site, locale

5. a part or division of the universe, as the heavens.

   a galactic region.

6. a large indefinite area or range of something specified; sphere.

   a region of authority.

7. an area of interest, activity, pursuit, etc.; field.

   studies in the region of logic.

8. an administrative division of a city or territory.

9. Zoogeography. a major faunal area of the earth's surface, sometimes one regarded as a division of a larger area.

10. Anatomy. a place in or a division of the body or a part of the body.

    the abdominal region.

11. Mathematics.

    1. Also called domain.  an open connected set.

    2. the union of such a set and some or all of its boundary points.

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region British  

/ ˈriːdʒən /

noun

1. any large, indefinite, and continuous part of a surface or space

2. an area considered as a unit for geographical, functional, social, or cultural reasons

3. an administrative division of a country

   Tuscany is one of the regions of the Italian Republic

4. a realm or sphere of activity or interest

5. range, area, or scope

   in what region is the price likely to be?

6. a division or part of the boday

   the lumbar region

7. (in Scotland from 1975 until 1996) any of the nine territorial divisions into which the mainland of Scotland was divided for purposes of local government; replaced in 1996 by council areas See also islands council

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region Idioms  

1. see in the neighborhood (region) of.

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Other Word Forms

• underregion noun

Etymology

Origin of region

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French regiun, from Latin regiōn-, stem of regiō “direction, line, boundary,” from reg(ere) “to make straight, guide, rule” + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The region’s long-running housing shortage was made even worse by a pair of fires last year that destroyed neighborhoods on opposite sides of Los Angeles County.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. national-security officials say the Chinese undersea expeditions offer fresh evidence of a growing threat from China in the Arctic region, known as the High North.

From The Wall Street Journal

The researchers, with their colleagues in North Africa are monitoring several fishing ports in the region.

From BBC

One area of concern is the formation of smog plumes that, despite occurring in a region often viewed as pristine, can reach pollution levels similar to major cities such as Los Angeles.

From Science Daily

Her branch had been one of the most successful in the region but eventually she had to sell it at a loss.

From BBC

Related Words

• country
• district
• field
• land
• locality
• neighborhood
• part
• place
• province
• sector
• suburb
• territory
• world
• zone