name

Carina

kuh-REE-nuh

Carina (name) means a constellation in the southern sky, home to the bright star Canopus. Example: “Carina was once part of a much larger constellation called Argo Navis.”

name

A constellation in the southern sky, home to the bright star Canopus.

"Carina was once part of a much larger constellation called Argo Navis."

A female given name derived from Latin.

"She named her daughter Carina after her grandmother."

noun

A ridge-like structure resembling a boat's keel, found in anatomy and botany.

"The carina of the sternum is especially pronounced in birds built for flight."

How to Use Carina

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a southern-hemisphere constellation, a girl's name, or (in biology) a keel-shaped ridge.

Word Forms

carinas plural, carinae plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ was once part of a much larger constellation called Argo Navis.

Etymology

From Latin carīna ("the keel of a ship") — the constellation was named by the French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1763.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1763

Class of 1763 Carina joined the language around 1763.

See the full Class of 1763 →

Rhymes for Carina

Ina mina gina Tina Dina nina fina Lina Zina Rina China Elina

See all rhymes for Carina →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Carina” mean?

The word “Carina” means a constellation in the southern sky, home to the bright star Canopus. In plain terms, either a southern-hemisphere constellation, a girl's name, or (in biology) a keel-shaped ridge.

How do you pronounce “Carina”?

“Carina” is pronounced kuh-REE-nuh (/kəˈɹiːnə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Carina” in a sentence?

Here is “Carina” used in a sentence: “Carina was once part of a much larger constellation called Argo Navis.”

What part of speech is “Carina”?

Depending on how it is used, “Carina” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Carina” come from?

The word “Carina” dates back to around 1763 and comes from Latin. From Latin carīna ("the keel of a ship") — the constellation was named by the French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1763.

How many meanings does “Carina” have?

“Carina” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a constellation in the southern sky, home to the bright star Canopus.