Near East

[ neer eest ]

noun

1. an indefinite geographical or regional term, usually referring to the countries of southwestern Asia, including Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia and the other nations of Arabia. Compare Middle East ( def 1 ).

Near East

noun

1. another term for the Middle East
2. (formerly) the Balkan States and the area of the Ottoman Empire

Near East

1. A region in western Asia and northeastern Africa , often considered the same as the Middle East .

Other Words From

• Near Eastern adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Near East¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

World Central Kitchen said that it was suspending operations in the territory, as did American Near East Refugee Aid, or Anera.

From New York Times

The poll, by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a generally pro-Israel research organization, surveyed 1,000 Saudis from Nov. 14 to Dec. 6.

From New York Times

Lifeway Research conducted the online survey in November for The Philos Project, a nonprofit promoting Christian engagement in the Near East.

From Washington Times

This new study is based on DNA isolated from chicken bones that were excavated from 140 archaeological sites in Europe and the Near East.

From Science Daily

Some Israeli-linked vessels have apparently started taking the longer route around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, said Noam Raydan, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

From Seattle Times