region

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noun re·gion \ ˈrē-jən \

Definition of region

1 :an administrative area, division, or district; especially :the basic administrative unit for local government in Scotland

2 a :an indefinite area of the world or universe

b :a broad geographic area distinguished by similar features

c (1) :a major world area that supports a characteristic fauna

(2) :an area characterized by the prevalence of one or more vegetational climax types

3 a :any of the major subdivisions into which the body or one of its parts is divisible

b :an indefinite area surrounding a specified body part

a pain in the region of the heart

4 :a sphere of activity or interest :field

5 :any of the zones into which the atmosphere is divided according to height or the sea according to depth

6 :an open connected set together with none, some, or all of the points on its boundary

a simple closed curve divides a plane into two regions

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Examples of region in a Sentence

The bird returns to this region every year.
He's the company sales manager for the entire Southwest region.
She has a pain in the lower back region.
attempts to go outside of London and stimulate cultural life in the regions

Recent Examples of region from the Web

In a final speech in Tel Aviv, Guterres said the world must remain focused on the region, and that there was no alternative to the two-state solution.

— adel hana, The Seattle Times, "UN chief decries ‘dramatic’ humanitarian crisis in Gaza," 30 Aug. 2017
Here is the dish on this local eatery, which opened in July and seats approximately 125 inside and 80 outside: On the menu: The oyster bar and kitchen is billed as the region's only raw bar.

— jessi virtusio, Post-Tribune, "Bartlett's Fish Camp features fresh raw oysters," 30 Aug. 2017
Gin’s report on the local economy from the Burham-Moores Center for Real Estate said July was a good month for the San Diego region, in part because of an increase in building permits.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What you need to know about San Diego's homebuilding slump," 30 Aug. 2017
The region gained independence from Spain in 1821, first forming a constitutional monarchy and then a republic in 1823.

— araceli cruz, Teen Vogue, "Mexican Repatriation During the Great Depression, Explained," 30 Aug. 2017
Beijing’s primary concern with respect to the Korean peninsula remains the stability of the region.

— adam mount, The Atlantic, "How China Sees North Korea," 29 Aug. 2017
Demand for HIV/AIDS services remains high in Central Florida, since the region has the sixth highest rate of new HIV diagnosis in the nation.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "AIDS Healthcare Foundation opens new clinic in Orlando," 29 Aug. 2017
Because the DLPFC is known to connect extensively to deeper brain areas that imaging studies have shown to be underactive in people addicted to cocaine, the trial aims to stimulate the region.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "Brain-altering magnetic pulses could zap cocaine addiction," 29 Aug. 2017
This year, Cigna is selling individual and family coverage in California’s large urban regions, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.

— pauline bartolone, Kaiser Health News, "What Happens If You’re Forced To Switch Health Plans When You’re Sick?," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'region.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of region

Middle English regioun, from Anglo-French regiun, from Latin region-, regio line, direction, area, from regere to direct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

region Synonyms

Synonyms

area, demesne, field, zone

Related Words

corner, section; locale, locality, location, locus, place, point, position, site, space, spot

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

REGION Defined for English Language Learners

region

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noun

Definition of region for English Language Learners

: a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way
: a place on your body : an area that is near a specified part of your body
the regions : the parts of a country that are not close to the capital city