meridian

noun

me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈri-dē-ən How to pronounce meridian (audio)
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 meridianH. J. Laski
5
archaic : the hour of noon : midday
meridian adjective

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 According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 8:38 p.m. Monday, March 25, crossing the meridian at 1:50 a.m. before setting at 7:52 a.m. Tuesday. The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 6:47 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, crossing the meridian at 12:52 a.m. before setting at 7:46 a.m. Sunday. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2024 In addition, the scraping motion is known to stimulate meridians in the skin– similar to cupping– which allows the body to detox. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023 These meridians are thought to correspond to specific organs and, when stimulated, can strengthen blood flow and prompt the release of certain hormones. Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023 What Is Moxibustion? Moxibustion is an alternative form of acupuncture therapy from traditional Chinese medicine that involves burning the herb mugwort (or moxa) to warm specific points along a set of invisible vertical lines known as meridians that practitioners believe cross the body. Maria Carter, Parents, 24 Oct. 2023 And for better or worse, practitioners have always stood at the ready, prepared to intervene when our chakras seemed blocked; when our humors seemed unbalanced; when our meridians surely became constricted; when our orgone levels were all out of whack. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 10 July 2023 The movements help with blood circulation and the body’s meridians — which in Chinese medicine refer to the pathways that energy, or qi, flows through. Ada Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2023 From an Eastern perspective, acupuncture works by balancing the flow of qi (chi), also known as energy, which moves through meridians, or channels in your body. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meridian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of meridian was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near meridian

Cite this Entry

“Meridian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meridian. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

meridian

noun
me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈrid-ē-ən How to pronounce meridian (audio)
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 How to pronounce meridian (audio)
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 How to pronounce Meridian (audio)
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on meridian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!