subterranean

adjective

sub·​ter·​ra·​nean ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 

-nyən

variants or less commonly subterraneous

ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs 

-nyəs

1

: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth

2

: existing or working in secret : hidden

a subterranean network of criminals

subterraneanly adverb

or less commonly subterraneously

Did you know?

Go Underground With Subterranean

A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.

Synonyms

• belowground
• subsurface
• underground

Examples of subterranean in a Sentence

a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast

Recent Examples on the Web

Lucy is new to the surface world, having been raised in the orderly safety of Vault 33, one of dozens of subterranean communities established by citizens who fled underground before the war began. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2024

The epicenter – the specific point on the Earth’s surface above the subterranean spot where a quake occurs – was not on the Trump National Golf Club property in Bedminster, according to multiple experts and the USGS. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

Melissa Kent’s editing animates transitions in Rudy’s daily life, from the monotony of the classroom to the curt humor of his subterranean shows. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

The Israeli military first captured the hospital site during a raid in November, exposing and destroying a subterranean tunnel network that Israel said was a Hamas command center. —Patrick Kingsley Avishag Shaar-Yashuv, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Parking will be in a three-level subterranean structure, with hotel and guest parking on the top level, just below the ground floor. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

Their subterranean architectures are manifestly different. —Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024

Rafah became a hub of subterranean smuggling, for commercial goods as well as Hamas weapons brought into Gaza through tunnels. —Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

The home, officially recognized by the city for its national significance, underwent a renovation about a decade ago with the addition of a contemporary extension and subterranean garage. —Lauren Beale, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin subterraneus, from sub- + terra earth — more at thirst

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subterranean

adjective

sub·​ter·​ra·​nean ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 

-nyən

1

: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth

2

: existing or working in secret : hidden