Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

bireme

noun
Save Word
bi·​reme | \ ˈbī-ˌrēm How to pronounce bireme (audio) \

Definition of bireme

: a galley with two banks of oars used especially by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians

First Known Use of bireme

1612, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bireme

Latin biremis, from bi- + remus oar — more at row

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bireme

Statistics for bireme

Cite this Entry

“Bireme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bireme. Accessed 6 May. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More from Merriam-Webster on bireme

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bireme

Comments on bireme

What made you want to look up bireme? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

deep-six

Listen to the pronunciation of deep-six

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

  • cu jedi training
  • The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games