meridian

noun

me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈri-dē-ən 

1

a(1)

: a great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the poles

(2)

: the half of such a circle included between the poles

b

: a representation of such a circle or half circle numbered for longitude (see longitude sense 1) on a map or globe see longitude illustration

2

: a great circle of the celestial sphere passing through its poles and the zenith of a given place see azimuth illustration

3

: any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory behind acupuncture

4

: a high point (as of development or prosperity)

the problem of the unmarried don after he had passed the meridian

—H. J. Laski

5

archaic : the hour of noon : midday

meridian adjective

Synonyms

• acme
• apex
• apogee
• capstone
• climax
• crescendo
• crest
• crown
• culmination
• head
• height
• high noon
• high-water mark
• ne plus ultra
• noon
• noontime
• peak
• pinnacle
• sum
• summit
• tip-top
• top
• zenith

Examples of meridian in a Sentence

a lawyer at the meridian of his career arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court

Recent Examples on the Web

Mine were located on meridians related to the elements of earth and space, which I was told signal a general imbalance between those elements in my life. —Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 5:26 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, crossing the meridian at 12:30 a.m. before setting at 8:36 a.m. Monday. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 7:04 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, crossing the meridian at 1:14 a.m. before setting at 8:06 a.m. Friday. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Oct. 2024

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Louisville area will happen by roughly 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, crossing the meridian at 1:13 a.m. before setting at 8:03 a.m. Friday. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French meridien, from meridien of noon, from Latin meridianus, from meridies noon, south, irregular from medius mid + dies day — more at mid, deity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing meridian

• autonomous sensory meridian response
• prime meridian
• the prime meridian

Rhymes for meridian

• ascidian
• dravidian
• obsidian
• quotidian
• enchiridion
• gideon
• lydian

Kids Definition

meridian

noun

me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈrid-ē-ən 

1

: the highest point reached

2

a

: an imaginary circle on the earth's surface passing through the north and south poles

b

: the half of such a circle included between the poles

c

: a line on a globe or map representing such a circle or half circle and numbered by degrees of longitude

Etymology

Middle English meridien "midday," from early French meridien (same meaning), derived from Latin meridies "noon," from meri- (altered form of medius "middle") and dies "day" — related to diary, median entry 1

Medical Definition

meridian

noun

me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈrid-ē-ən 

1

: an imaginary circle or closed curve on the surface of a sphere or globe-shaped body (as the eyeball) that lies in a plane passing through the poles

2

: any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory of acupuncture

meridian adjective

Geographical Definition

Meridian

geographical name

Me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈri-dē-ən 

1

city in southwestern Idaho west of Boise population 75,092

Note: Between 2000 and 2010, Meridian more than doubled in population.

2

city in east central Mississippi population 41,148

Note: In 1863, during the American Civil War, Meridian served as temporary state capital for a brief time.