noun
Uncommon
meridian
muh-RIH-dih-uhn
Meridian (noun) means an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, used to measure longitude. Example: “Greenwich sits on the prime meridian, from which all other longitudes are measured.”
noun
1
An imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, used to measure longitude.
"Greenwich sits on the prime meridian, from which all other longitudes are measured."
2
The highest or most successful point of something; its peak.
"The band reached its meridian in the late 1990s before splitting up."
3
In traditional Chinese medicine, one of the pathways along which life energy (qi) is said to flow through the body.
"The acupuncturist explained which meridian the needle placement was meant to target."
How to use meridian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA north-south reference line for measuring location, or figuratively, the peak of something.
Common pairings
prime meridian
reach one's meridian
crossing the meridian
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Word forms
- Plural
- meridians
- Third person singular
- meridians
- Past tense
- meridianed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Greenwich sits on the prime _____, from which all other longitudes are measured.
Etymology
From Latin meridianus, "of midday," since the meridian line was originally defined by the sun's position at noon.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for meridian
See all rhymes for meridian →Frequently asked questions
What does “meridian” mean?
The word “meridian” means an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, used to measure longitude. In plain terms, a north-south reference line for measuring location, or figuratively, the peak of something.
How do you pronounce “meridian”?
“Meridian” is pronounced muh-RIH-dih-uhn (/məˈɹɪ.di.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “meridian” in a sentence?
Here is “meridian” used in a sentence: “Greenwich sits on the prime meridian, from which all other longitudes are measured.”
What part of speech is “meridian”?
“Meridian” is a noun.
Where does the word “meridian” come from?
The word “meridian” comes from Latin. From Latin meridianus, "of midday," since the meridian line was originally defined by the sun's position at noon.
Is “meridian” a common word?
“Meridian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “meridian” have?
“Meridian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, used to measure longitude.
