Latin

1 of 2

adjective

Lat·​in ˈla-tᵊn How to pronounce Latin (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or composed in Latin
b
2
: of or relating to Latium or the Latins
3
: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope
4
: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages
specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1
: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table
2
: a member of the people of ancient Latium
3
: a Catholic of the Latin rite
4
: a member of one of the Latin peoples
specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America
5

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Although the Puerto Rican superstar has not posted on his socials or officially announced a stint, the chairs were spotted outside of venues and stadiums across Latin America and Europe, including in Peru, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, France, England, Spain and Costa Rica. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 5 May 2025 The new pope’s name, as well as his baptismal names, will be translated into Latin in the announcement but his former surname will remain in his native language. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025 Anybody who has grown up in Latin America will corroborate Gálvez’s assertion: The legacy of Soda Stereo stands comfortably next to Hall of Fame inductees such as The Cure, Depeche Mode or The Police. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2025 In something of a rarity, the format has already been sold to four other countries across Europe and Latin America before it’s even aired a single episode. Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Latin

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Latin was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Latin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Latin. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective
Lat·​in ˈlat-ᵊn How to pronounce Latin (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or composed in Latin
Latin grammar
b
: romance
Latin languages
2
: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun
1
: the Italic language of ancient Rome
2
: an ancient Roman
3
: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages
especially : a person born or living in Latin America
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!