mare nostrum

noun

ma·​re no·​strum ˈmär-(ˌ)ā-ˈnō-strəm How to pronounce mare nostrum (audio)
: a navigable body of water (such as a sea) that belongs to a single nation or is mutually shared by two or more nations

Examples of mare nostrum 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.
The event will also see festival awards handed out across such categories as best feature film, best performance, best screenwriting, people’s choice, jury’s choice, mare nostrum, lifetime achievement, career achievement and Malta film legend. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, our sea

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mare nostrum was in 1921

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mare nostrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mare%20nostrum. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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