Iberian

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adjective (1)

Ibe·​ri·​an ī-ˈbir-ē-ən 

1

a

: of or relating to the peoples anciently inhabiting parts of the peninsula comprising Spain and Portugal or to their languages

The people known to scholars as Iberians seem to have been located primarily along the east coast of Spain … . Hundreds of Iberian inscriptions have been found throughout this entire region, showing the presence of a common language.

—Justin St. P. Walsh

b

: of or relating to ancient Iberia (see Iberia sense 1)

… we prefer a short detour to the south of the paved highway to the village of Tricio, built over the ruins of an ancient Iberian city.

—David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson

2

: of or relating to Spain, Portugal, or the Basque region or to their inhabitants

modern Iberian cuisine

IBS affects up to 7.8% of the total Iberian population (Spain, Portugal and Andorra) …

—PR Newswire Europe (London)

see also iberian peninsula

Iberian

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noun (1)

1

a

: a member of one or more peoples anciently inhabiting parts of the peninsula comprising Spain and Portugal

b

: a native or inhabitant of Spain or Portugal or the Basque region

2

: one or more of the languages of the ancient Iberians

Iberian

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adjective (2)

: of or relating to the Caucasus of Asia between the Black and Caspian seas or to its inhabitants

From the Iberian Caucasus, the most lofty and craggy mountains of Asia …

—Edward Gibbon

Iberian

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noun (2)

: a member of one or more peoples anciently inhabiting the Caucasus in Asia between the Black and Caspian seas

Examples of Iberian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Here, his inventive plates include the likes of tzatziki stracciatella, melon and Iberian pork ham; Azorean amberjack with carrot and orange aguachile; and eggplant with honey, labneh and chimichurri. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

But a stopover on the Iberian peninsula loads this recipe with Spanish chorizo, toasted almonds and sherry vinegar. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 10 Sep. 2024

Noun

This is especially true for a heritage breed like Black Iberian, which has a deeply nutty, complex flavor. —Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 23 July 2024

But while experts are not sure what’s driving the orca incidents, a leading theory is that the killer whales causing havoc largely off Europe’s Iberian Peninsula are just playful, bored teenagers. —Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Iberia, peninsula in Europe

Noun (2)

Iberia, ancient region of the Caucasus

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1671, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1601, in the meaning defined above