meridian

noun

me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈri-dē-ən How to pronounce meridian (audio)
Synonyms of meridiannext
1
a(1)
: a great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the poles
(2)
: the half of such a circle included between the poles
b
: a representation of such a circle or half circle numbered for longitude (see longitude sense 1) on a map or globe see longitude illustration
2
: a great circle of the celestial sphere passing through its poles and the zenith of a given place see azimuth illustration
3
: any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory behind acupuncture
4
: a high point (as of development or prosperity)
the problem of the unmarried don after he had passed the meridian—H. J. Laski
5
archaic : the hour of noon : midday
meridian adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of meridian in a Sentence

a lawyer at the meridian of his career arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 5:27 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, crossing the meridian at 12:03 a.m. before setting at 7:29 a.m. Thursday. —John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025 According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Louisville area will happen by roughly 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, crossing the meridian at 12:02 a.m. before setting at 7:24 a.m. Thursday. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025 Back treatments address muscle tension while clearing meridian blockages. —Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Aldebaran is crossing the meridian at midnight around Thanksgiving ... and at around 9 p.m. in mid-January. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for meridian

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French meridien, from meridien of noon, from Latin meridianus, from meridies noon, south, irregular from medius mid + dies day — more at mid, deity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of meridian was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing meridian

Rhymes for meridian

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Browse Nearby Words

Meriden
meridian
Meridian
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Cite this Entry

“Meridian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meridian. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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Kids Definition

meridian

noun
me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈrid-ē-ən How to pronounce meridian (audio)
1
: the highest point reached
2
a
: an imaginary circle on the earth's surface passing through the north and south poles
b
: the half of such a circle included between the poles
c
: a line on a globe or map representing such a circle or half circle and numbered by degrees of longitude
Etymology

Middle English meridien "midday," from early French meridien (same meaning), derived from Latin meridies "noon," from meri- (altered form of medius "middle") and dies "day" — related to diary, median entry 1

Medical Definition

meridian

noun
me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈrid-ē-ən How to pronounce meridian (audio)
1
: an imaginary circle or closed curve on the surface of a sphere or globe-shaped body (as the eyeball) that lies in a plane passing through the poles
2
: any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory of acupuncture
meridian adjective

Geographical Definition

Meridian

geographical name

Me·​rid·​i·​an mə-ˈri-dē-ən How to pronounce Meridian (audio)
1
city in southwestern Idaho west of Boise population 75,092

Note: Between 2000 and 2010, Meridian more than doubled in population.

2
city in east central Mississippi population 41,148

Note: In 1863, during the American Civil War, Meridian served as temporary state capital for a brief time.

More from Merriam-Webster on meridian

Nglish: Translation of meridian for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meridian

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