region

noun

re·​gion ˈrē-jən How to pronounce region (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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 on the Web The Baltic region, which views its five decades under Soviet rule as an illegitimate occupation, has seen a steady surge of support for Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion began over a year ago. Aaron Eglitis Bloomberg News (tns), al, 12 Mar. 2023 Moscow covets full control of the industrial, coal-rich region known as Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2023 The Mexican Gulf region, which includes Tamaulipas, is the shortest route for migrants in search of a better life in the US. Tara John, CNN, 9 Mar. 2023 The sixth was killed in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, where two people also were wounded. David L. Stern, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023 Hale is a Jalunji-Warra woman deeply embedded in the conservation of Cooktown, a coastal town on the mouth of the Endeavour River, and the Cookshire region in Far North Queensland, known for its abundant biodiversity. Alicia Erickson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2023 In operation for nearly a decade, SmartICE now works in more than 30 Inuit communities, says Andrew Arreak, its operations lead in the Qikiqtaaluk region, which encompasses Baffin Island. Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 8 Mar. 2023 The three entities work closely together to create opportunities in the Khumbu region, where the Nepalese side of Mount Everest is located. Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2023 His confidence in the persuasiveness of pleasure was rooted in the light of this particular place, this region, this land. Adam Gopnik, Town & Country, 5 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near region

Cite this Entry

“Region.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/region. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

region

noun
re·​gion ˈrē-jən How to pronounce region (audio)
1
: an area, division, or district of administration
2
a
: a part, portion, or area having no fixed boundaries
darker regions of the night sky
b
: a broad geographic area
never visited the southwestern region of the U.S.
3
: an indefinite area surrounding a specified body part
a pain in the region of the heart
4
: a set of points any two of which can be connected by a line lying wholly within the set together with none, some, or all of the points on its boundary
a rectangular region

Medical Definition

region

noun
re·​gion ˈrē-jən How to pronounce region (audio)
1
: any of the major subdivisions into which the body or one of its parts is divisible
the nine regions of the abdomen
2
: an indefinite area surrounding a specified body part
a pain in the region of the heart

More from Merriam-Webster on region

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