antebellum
Antebellum (adjective) means belonging to the period in the United States before the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, especially in the Southern states. Example: “The house is a classic example of antebellum architecture.”
How to use antebellum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrom the time before the war, usually the American Civil War.
Formal and historical; be aware that 'antebellum South' can sound nostalgic about a slave society, so handle with care.
It is written as one word in modern English and is not italicised, though 'ante-bellum' appears in older texts.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The house is a classic example of _____ architecture.
Etymology
From Latin ante bellum 'before the war'.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for antebellum
See all rhymes for antebellum →Frequently asked questions
What does antebellum mean in American history?
It refers to the decades before the American Civil War, roughly from the 1810s to 1861. The term is used most often of the South, covering its plantation economy, architecture and social order, all of which depended on slavery.
What is antebellum architecture?
It is the building style of the pre-Civil War American South, best known for large plantation houses with symmetrical facades, tall columns and wide porches. These houses were built on plantations worked by enslaved people, a fact often left out of romantic descriptions.
What is the opposite of antebellum?
Postbellum, meaning after the war, is the direct opposite. For the American context it covers Reconstruction and the decades that followed.
What is the meaning of antebellum?
"antebellum" (adjective) means belonging to the period in the United States before the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, especially in the Southern states.