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
Take 25 Hours, in Long Island City, for example, which is freighted with a depressing ambience that is equal parts chemistry lab and subterranean grotto.
—
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
At the subterranean spa, ROKI Pure, guests can receive minimum two-hour treatments or tailored individual well-being programs.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Located between the Sahara tent and the Do Lab, the Bunker is a gigantic subterranean cavern with room for 300 or so people — a dark and cool respite from the blazing Indio sun.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The same poster, in pink and black this time, had been taped to the door of the subterranean gym.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
At the subterranean spa, ROKI Pure, guests can receive minimum two-hour treatments or tailored individual well-being programs.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Located between the Sahara tent and the Do Lab, the Bunker is a gigantic subterranean cavern with room for 300 or so people — a dark and cool respite from the blazing Indio sun.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The same poster, in pink and black this time, had been taped to the door of the subterranean gym.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 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 17 Apr. 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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