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 story took an unexpected twist in 2011, when police discovered a network of subterranean shipping containers at the landfill being used to grow cannabis.
—
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
These drones, mounted with advanced magnetometry and radiometry, can detect subterranean anomalies.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Built over several years and completed in 2025, the fully walled and gated estate occupies three parcels of ridge-top land fronted by a guard house and a 300-foot driveway that empties at a spacious cobblestone motor court and a subterranean garage with room for up to 15 vehicles.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2025
Another highlight of the hotel is the subterranean wellness space with Technogym equipment, sauna, hammam and a handful of treatment rooms for everything from facials to deep-tissue massages.
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
These drones, mounted with advanced magnetometry and radiometry, can detect subterranean anomalies.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Built over several years and completed in 2025, the fully walled and gated estate occupies three parcels of ridge-top land fronted by a guard house and a 300-foot driveway that empties at a spacious cobblestone motor court and a subterranean garage with room for up to 15 vehicles.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2025
Another highlight of the hotel is the subterranean wellness space with Technogym equipment, sauna, hammam and a handful of treatment rooms for everything from facials to deep-tissue massages.
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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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