Definition of medieval
1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Middle Ages medieval history medieval architecture
2 : having a quality (such as cruelty) associated with the Middle Ages
3 : extremely outmoded or antiquated has medieval ideas about the role of women in our society
medievally
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of medieval in a Sentence
They're using a computer system that seems positively medieval by today's standards.
get rid of that medieval kerosene stove—it stinks and it's dangerous
Recent Examples of medieval from the Web
-
They are linked to the medieval guilds of stonemasons.
-
The government’s favorite cleric is Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, who runs a network of businesses including a proselytizing radio station called Radio Maryja from the medieval city of Torun.
-
Down south, Cersei is updating the Red Keep with a medieval version of Google Earth when Jaime comes to pick her regal brain.
-
Sicily’s Opera dei Pupi, which dates to the 19th century, features wooden puppets in tales of medieval chivalry and battles.
-
For about 900 years the medieval story of the man born into privilege turned outlaw, who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, has been popular in nearly all forms of literature and entertainment.
-
The books are set in a vaguely medieval world on fictional continents where the leaders of seven kingdoms battle the undead, dragons and one another for the exceedingly uncomfortable-looking Iron Throne.
-
About 1,000 years ago, its use was first described in writing by Avicenna, the medieval Persian physician/philosopher.
-
Centuries ago medieval monks typically used iron gall ink to copy texts onto parchments made from sheepskin or cowhide.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'medieval.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
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.
Origin and Etymology of medieval
New Latin medium aevum Middle Ages
Other History Terms
medieval
mediaeval
Definition of medieval
: a person of the Middle Ages
Recent Examples of medieval from the Web
-
The invite promises a weekend of bloodsports, but what Greer and the other invitees don't know is that the Medievals just might be hunting, shooting and fishing them over the next three days.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'medieval.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of medieval
see 1medieval
Other History Terms
MEDIEVAL Defined for English Language Learners
MEDIEVAL Defined for Kids
medieval
playmediaeval
\ˌmē-dē-ˈē-vəl, ˌme-\Definition of medieval for Students
: of or relating to the Middle Ages medieval castles medieval French
Learn More about medieval
-
See words that rhyme with medieval Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for medieval Spanish Central: Translation of medieval Nglish: Translation of medieval for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of medieval for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up medieval? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!