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 Scotland
2 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 types
3 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 : field
5 : any of the zones into which the atmosphere is divided according to height or the sea according to depth
6 : 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>