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 Peacock Lounge is part elegant speakeasy, part subterranean lair, hidden away from the rowdier crowds making bar runs in Savannah on a Saturday night.
—
Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
There is also radiant heating throughout, as well as a subterranean six-car garage with EV charging and additional parking for up to 20 vehicles.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
The Joule Dallas, Texas After years of renovations and a major expansion, The Joule now takes up almost an entire city block and features 160 rooms and penthouses, a subterranean spa, a rooftop terrace, a cantilevered pool, and multiple dining and retail venues.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
On Friday evening, the scene outside The Mercer hotel’s subterranean club (Sub)Mercer felt far from the sanitized NYFW as of late.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
There is also radiant heating throughout, as well as a subterranean six-car garage with EV charging and additional parking for up to 20 vehicles.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
The Joule Dallas, Texas After years of renovations and a major expansion, The Joule now takes up almost an entire city block and features 160 rooms and penthouses, a subterranean spa, a rooftop terrace, a cantilevered pool, and multiple dining and retail venues.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
On Friday evening, the scene outside The Mercer hotel’s subterranean club (Sub)Mercer felt far from the sanitized NYFW as of late.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 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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