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 aim is to reduce evacuation zones and improve forecasting of risks to people, buildings, and subterranean infrastructure.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Even though the house is long gone, I was allowed to walk through its subterranean lower levels and could vividly imagine families hiding in the storage areas.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Pluto, planet of transformation, stations direct in your partnership sector on October 13, after months of slow, subterranean shifts.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025
The motor court, which appears to float above the entrance to the subterranean garage, leads to the double-height foyer with ebony polished concrete floors and a floating staircase set against a wall of glass.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Even though the house is long gone, I was allowed to walk through its subterranean lower levels and could vividly imagine families hiding in the storage areas.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Pluto, planet of transformation, stations direct in your partnership sector on October 13, after months of slow, subterranean shifts.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025
The motor court, which appears to float above the entrance to the subterranean garage, leads to the double-height foyer with ebony polished concrete floors and a floating staircase set against a wall of glass.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 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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