Indo-European languages

plural noun

: a family of languages comprising those spoken in most of Europe and in the parts of the world colonized by Europeans since 1500 and also in Persia, the subcontinent of India, and some other parts of Asia
<span class=syl>indo<span class=sylbreak>-</span>european languages</span> table

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Indo-European languages was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near Indo-European languages

Cite this Entry

“Indo-European languages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Indo-European%20languages. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Indo-European languages

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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