Main Entry:

re·gion

Pronunciation:

\ˈrē-jən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English regioun, from Anglo-French regiun, from Latin region-, regio line, direction, area, from regere to direct

Date:

14th century

1: an administrative area, division, or district ; especially : the basic administrative unit for local government in Scotland2 a: an indefinite area of the world or universe b: a broad geographic area distinguished by similar features c (1): a major world area that supports a characteristic fauna (2): an area characterized by the prevalence of one or more vegetational climax types3 a: any of the major subdivisions into which the body or one of its parts is divisible b: an indefinite area surrounding a specified body part <a pain in the region of the heart>4: a sphere of activity or interest : field5: any of the zones into which the atmosphere is divided according to height or the sea according to depth6: an open connected set together with none, some, or all of the points on its boundary <a simple closed curve divides a plane into two regions>