Occitan

noun

Oc·​ci·​tan ˈäk-sə-ˌtan How to pronounce Occitan (audio)
: a Romance language spoken in southern France
Occitan adjective

Examples of Occitan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This satisfying six-ingredient dessert is an excellent example of the rustic Occitan cooking in northern Italy. — Roberta Corradin, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Medieval Latin occitanus, from Old Occitan oc yes (contrasted with Old French oïl yes) + Medieval Latin -itanus (perhaps as in aquitanus of Aquitaine)

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Occitan was in 1958

Phrases Containing Occitan

Browse Nearby Words

occision
Occitan
Occleve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Occitan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Occitan. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Occitan

noun
Oc·​ci·​tan ˈäk-sə-ˌtan How to pronounce Occitan (audio)
: a Romance language spoken in southern France
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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