Did you know?
With its roots medi-, meaning "middle", and ev-, meaning "age", medieval literally means "of the Middle Ages". In this case, middle means "between the Roman empire and the Renaissance"—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the "rebirth" of culture that we call the Renaissance. This same period used to be called the "Dark Ages", since it was believed that in these years civilization all but vanished. And indeed, for most Europeans in these centuries, it was a time of poverty, famine, plague, and superstition, rather than the age of magic, dazzling swordplay, towering castles, and knights in splendid armor displayed in today's graphic novels and video games.
Synonyms
Examples of medieval in a Sentence
Elle Benson Easton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
During a proceeding, for example, the College of Cardinals stays in the Casa Santa Marta, an ornate, medieval dormitory where they are fed and tended to by an order of nuns.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
The site is considered one of the oldest medieval to early modern cemeteries in the city.
—Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for medieval 
Dictionary Entries Near medieval
Cite this Entry
“Medieval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share