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

Those highest-risk areas for the four while species included in the study lie largely along coastal areas in the Mediterranean, portions of the Americas, southern Africa and parts of Asia.

From Science Daily

The Mediterranean island, they thought, offered ideal conditions for studying the genes and habits that can influence life span: Its population is relatively isolated, with low rates of immigration and little genetic diversity.

From Science Magazine

Over the last five years, more and more migrants have decided to try their luck following the same path - known as the Eastern Mediterranean route.

From BBC

The Aleppo pine, for instance, is a fast-growing species found throughout the western Mediterranean, Greece and parts of the Levant, including northeastern portions of historical Palestine.

From Salon

"The Indian and FBDGs being directly from government recommendations, the Mediterranean being widely discussed for its health benefits, and the EAT-Lancet diet being developed by subject matter experts."

From Science Daily