bireme

noun

bi·​reme ˈbī-ˌrēm How to pronounce bireme (audio)
: a galley with two banks of oars used especially by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians

Word History

Etymology

Latin biremis, from bi- + remus oar — more at row

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bireme was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near bireme

Cite this Entry

“Bireme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bireme. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on bireme

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!