Latin

1 of 2

adjective

Lat·​in ˈla-tᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

b

: romance

2

: of or relating to Latium or the Latins

3

: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope

4

: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages

specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table

2

: a member of the people of ancient Latium

3

: a Catholic of the Latin rite

4

: a member of one of the Latin peoples

specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America

5

: latin alphabet

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, in honor of the Puerto Rican act’s birthday, Billboard has put together a poll with all of his No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024

Over 50 percent of the congregation at Christ the Savior are local converts, the majority from Latin America and the Caribbean, said Lucas. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

The Latin Grammy-winning Colombian artist J Balvin parked a ginormous inflatable spaceship on Coachella’s main stage Sunday night, kicking off an epic reggaeton rave under the stars. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024

After a profit warning in November, triggered by slowing sales in Latin America, its latest results revealed that sales of single malts to the United States were down 27% in the second half of 2023. —Angus MacKinnon, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024

With the revival of socialist governments across Latin America, from Chile to Brazil, experts say Argentina is now poised to emerge as a key strategic partner for Washington. —Isabel Debre, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024

In addition to big stars like Peso Pluma, Young Miko, J Balvin, Ice Spice and Carin León, the festival will also feature a slew of up-and-coming Latin acts ready to impress attendees unfamiliar with them. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

His career at the State Department began in 1981 and included various positions in Latin America. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024

Its viral success has also skyrocketed the track to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, becoming the first time a Chilean artist enters the top 10 in 25 years. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Latin

• Late Latin
• Latin-American
• Latin alphabet
• Latin Americanist
• Latin cross
• Low Latin
• Latin square
• Neo-Latin
• Medieval Latin
• Vulgar Latin
• Old Latin
• New Latin

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective

Lat·​in ˈlat-ᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

Latin grammar

b

: romance

Latin languages

2

: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Rome

2

: an ancient Roman

3

: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages

especially : a person born or living in Latin America