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With its roots medi-, meaning "middle", and ev-, meaning "age", medieval literally means "of the Middle Ages". In this case, middle means "between the Roman empire and the Renaissance"—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the "rebirth" of culture that we call the Renaissance. This same period used to be called the "Dark Ages", since it was believed that in these years civilization all but vanished. And indeed, for most Europeans in these centuries, it was a time of poverty, famine, plague, and superstition, rather than the age of magic, dazzling swordplay, towering castles, and knights in splendid armor displayed in today's graphic novels and video games.
Examples of medieval in a Sentence
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 July 2025
From the first coin discovered in an ancient hoard to the first stone of a medieval wall, many major archaeological discoveries stem from one initial find.
—Irene Wright
july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025
As cosmopolitan as Venice is, as historically important as one of Europe’s post-Roman, grand medieval and Renaissance trading posts, the town remains a tough nut to crack, socially speaking.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Medieval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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