Latin

1 of 2

adjective

Lat·​in ˈla-tᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

b

: romance

2

: of or relating to Latium or the Latins

3

: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope

4

: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages

specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table

2

: a member of the people of ancient Latium

3

: a Catholic of the Latin rite

4

: a member of one of the Latin peoples

specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America

5

: latin alphabet

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This year, the Celebrity Softball Game, where music stars and Major League talent team up for a showdown at Estadio Néstor Morales, included on its lineup artists like Eladio Carrión, Arcángel, Daddy Yankee, Latin Mafia, Yandel and Young Miko, to name a few. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 7 Dec. 2024

In the Renaissance, translation went into overdrive as humanists rediscovered the ancient Greek language, translated copiously into Latin, and started bringing literature, philosophy, and history into the spoken tongues of Europe. —Max Norman, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

As The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal described, Sasaki’s posting will have disastrous consequences for the other members of the international amateur free agent class—predominantly teenagers from Latin America. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

An institution at Ventana Sur and Latin America’s highest-profile animation showcase, Animation! —John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Latin

• Late Latin
• Latin alphabet
• Latin-American
• Latin Americanist
• Latin cross
• Latin square
• Low Latin
• Medieval Latin
• Neo-Latin
• New Latin
• Old Latin
• Vulgar Latin

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective

Lat·​in ˈlat-ᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

Latin grammar

b

: romance

Latin languages

2

: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Rome

2

: an ancient Roman

3

: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages

especially : a person born or living in Latin America