adjective
antebellum
an-tee-BEL-uhm
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.”
adjective
1
chiefly North American Belonging to the period in the United States before the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, especially in the Southern states.
"The house is a classic example of antebellum architecture."
"Antebellum society in the South rested on slavery."
2
formal Existing before any war under discussion.
"Output never returned to its antebellum level."
"The treaty aimed to restore the antebellum borders."
How to use antebellum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrom the time before the war, usually the American Civil War.
When to use it
Formal and historical; be aware that 'antebellum South' can sound nostalgic about a slave society, so handle with care.
Memory tip
It is written as one word in modern English and is not italicised, though 'ante-bellum' appears in older texts.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
antebellum South
antebellum period
antebellum mansion
antebellum era
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like antebellum.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
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
View more →
prewar
Antonyms
postbellum
postwar
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.
