Definition of MEDIEVAL

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.

Examples of medieval in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web: Adjective

If that sounds medieval in its horror, then meet the crusaders: In February, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey presented a Green New Deal resolution to help support change. — Cotton Codinha, Allure, "7 Influential People on Environmental Advocacy in the Beauty Industry," 22 Apr. 2019 The game often seems devastatingly intent on overawing players with its painstakingly detailed recreations of the ancient or the medieval. — Daniel Starkey, Ars Technica, "Assassin’s Creed Odyssey," 4 Oct. 2018 At one point or another, most of Europe’s great cities — Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Milan, Barcelona, Vienna and many more — were all contained within walls, constructed during ancient and medieval times to defend against invaders. — Rick Stevestribune Content Agency, The Seattle Times, "In Europe’s border walls, a divided history and a united future," 11 Sep. 2018 Their origin dates back to the medieval era, when monks created bitter herbal elixirs as medicine. — Michelle Gordon, azcentral, "Everyday Italian," 11 June 2018 Explore these ancient illuminated manuscripts which reveal the cultural exchange between Asia and Europe dating back to the medieval era. — Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Best Exhibits at Museums and Galleries in L.A. This Month," 5 June 2018 Yet in an interesting twist showing a combination of medieval and modern practices, Yemenis began reproducing manuscript pages with photocopiers, while binding the printed results using traditional methods. — Christian C. Sahner, WSJ, "Yemen’s Threatened Cultural Heritage," 25 Dec. 2018 The space itself will be reminiscent of the medieval fortress villages the Landes region is known for. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Medieval-inspired French village is designed specifically for Alzheimer’s patients," 12 June 2018 Ripert, Bourdain and the crew of the CNN show had traveled early last week to the medieval village of Kayserberg in northeastern France to film an episode on Alsatian food. — Fox News, "The troubling signs leading up to Anthony Bourdain's suicide," 10 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Although most manuscripts date to the late medieval and early modern periods, the practice of copying by hand endured in Yemen well into the 20th century. — Christian C. Sahner, WSJ, "Yemen’s Threatened Cultural Heritage," 25 Dec. 2018 Sitting at the foothills of the mystical Mount Taygetus, not only is this medieval walled town a UNESCO World Heritage Monument immersed in fascinating history, but the surrounding natural environment is rugged, raw, and inspiringly real. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "28 Places Our Travel Specialists Say You Should Go in 2019," 17 Dec. 2018 Candid, gossipy and occasionally imperiled by demons, Margery Kempe was a 15th-century mystic and the author of a terrific medieval tell-all. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "10 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 5 July 2018 Along the way, cyclists pedal past medieval walled villages like Montreuil and the 18th-century Chateau de Long. — David Farley, WSJ, "The Best Guides to Cycling Major Cities—Even Los Angeles," 10 May 2018 Starting May 13 and for at least the rest of the month, the medieval Bled Castle will host an exposition on bees and beekeeping in the area. — Jeanine Barone, New York Times, "Fall in Love With Bees on an ‘Apitourism’ Trip to Slovenia," 9 May 2018 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. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "Fox 2000, Chernin Entertainment Pick Up Buzzy YA Novel 'S.T.A.G.S.' (Exclusive)," 8 May 2017

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.