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
Did you know?
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
Newer commissions, including Steve McQueen’s subterranean environment and work by Meg Webster and Senga Nengudi, offered further meditative moments.
—
Vogue, 12 May 2025
The Spa Set on a subterranean level but softly aglow with natural light thanks to light wells in the garden above, Rosewood’s Asaya spa is a temple to serenity.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
Dirt offers excellent protection, so don’t be shocked to see more vehicle crews evolve into subterranean creatures as the war grinds on and more drones patrol the front line.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The researchers found that as the magma body heated subterranean liquid and released gases, the gas and liquid migrated upward and collected in chambers below the volcanic crater.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Vogue, 12 May 2025
The Spa Set on a subterranean level but softly aglow with natural light thanks to light wells in the garden above, Rosewood’s Asaya spa is a temple to serenity.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
Dirt offers excellent protection, so don’t be shocked to see more vehicle crews evolve into subterranean creatures as the war grinds on and more drones patrol the front line.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The researchers found that as the magma body heated subterranean liquid and released gases, the gas and liquid migrated upward and collected in chambers below the volcanic crater.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 5 May 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 24 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share