Mediterranean

[ med-i-tuh-rey-nee-uhn ]

noun

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

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

/ ˌmɛdɪtəˈreɪnɪən /

noun

1. short for the Mediterranean Sea
2. a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country

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 Words From

• non-Med·i·ter·rane·an noun adjective
• trans-Med·i·ter·rane·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean¹

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

Example Sentences

In other parts of Spain precautions are being taken - with eastern and southern Mediterranean areas the most vulnerable.

From BBC

Colder air high in the atmosphere meets warmer air flowing in from the Mediterranean which intensifies the storm.

From BBC

Colder air high in the atmosphere meets warmer air flowing in from the Mediterranean which intensifies the storm.

From BBC

Dana weather systems are not uncommon in Spain – they typically happen around 10 to 20 times a years in the western Mediterranean.

From BBC

Eastern and southern Mediterranean areas are again the most vulnerable, with Spain's meteorological agency Aemet placing parts of the Valencia, Catalonia and Andalusia regions, as well as the Balearic Islands, on orange alert from now until Thursday.

From BBC