Ionian

[ ahy-oh-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Ionia.
2. of or relating to the branch of the Greek people named from Ion, their legendary founder.

noun

1. a member of one of the four main divisions of the prehistoric Greeks who invaded the Greek mainland and, after the Dorian invasions, emigrated to the Aegean islands and the coast of Asia Minor. Compare Achaean ( def 5 ), Aeolian ²( def 3 ), Dorian ¹( def 2 ).
2. an Ionian Greek.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ionian¹

First recorded in 1555–65; Ioni(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Turkey, meanwhile, criticized a Greek plan unveiled last month for “marine parks” in parts of the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

From Seattle Times

Turkey, meanwhile, has criticized recently announced plans by Greece to declare areas in the Ionian and Aegean seas as “marine parks” to conserve aquatic life.

From Seattle Times

Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea.

From Seattle Times

"It was not very deep - but it was very early in the season and it was stagnant and stayed over the south Ionian Sea for four, five days."

From BBC

The storm began over the Ionian Sea and damaged a few other countries on its way to Libya, including Bulgaria and Turkey.

From Salon