subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 
-nyən
variants
or less commonly subterraneous
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
a subterranean network of criminals
subterraneanly
adverb
or less commonly subterraneously
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Go Underground With Subterranean
A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.
Examples of subterranean in a Sentence
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
Recent Examples on the Web
The project also includes a subterranean parking structure with 41 spaces.
—
Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Whether upstairs at Momotaro, with its elevated mix of sushi and robata-yaki, or downstairs at its subterranean sibling Izakaya at Momotaro, sake is central to the experience here.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
There are nine pools across the spa’s subterranean and rooftop levels, including a counter-current pool for laps, plus eight steam rooms and saunas.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
Below street level, Torakuro commands considerable respect as a subterranean kaiseki—a dozen inventive courses expertly paired alongside sake, whisky and wine.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Whether upstairs at Momotaro, with its elevated mix of sushi and robata-yaki, or downstairs at its subterranean sibling Izakaya at Momotaro, sake is central to the experience here.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
There are nine pools across the spa’s subterranean and rooftop levels, including a counter-current pool for laps, plus eight steam rooms and saunas.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
Below street level, Torakuro commands considerable respect as a subterranean kaiseki—a dozen inventive courses expertly paired alongside sake, whisky and wine.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən
-nyən
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
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