medieval

1 of 2

adjective

me·​di·​e·​val ˌmē-ˈdē-vəl 

mi-,

ˌme-,

-dē-ˈē-vəl 

variants or less commonly mediaeval

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Middle Ages

medieval history

medieval architecture

2

: having a quality (such as cruelty) associated with the Middle Ages

3

: extremely outmoded or antiquated

has medieval ideas about the role of women in our society

medievally adverb

medieval

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly mediaeval

: a person of the Middle Ages

Did you know?

With its roots medi-, meaning "middle", and ev-, meaning "age", medieval literally means "of the Middle Ages". In this case, middle means "between the Roman empire and the Renaissance"—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the "rebirth" of culture that we call the Renaissance. This same period used to be called the "Dark Ages", since it was believed that in these years civilization all but vanished. And indeed, for most Europeans in these centuries, it was a time of poverty, famine, plague, and superstition, rather than the age of magic, dazzling swordplay, towering castles, and knights in splendid armor displayed in today's graphic novels and video games.

Synonyms

Adjective

• antiquated
• archaic
• dated
• démodé
• demoded
• fossilized
• kaput
• kaputt
• moribund
• mossy
• moth-eaten
• neolithic
• Noachian
• obsolete
• out-of-date
• outdated
• outmoded
• outworn
• passé
• prehistoric
• prehistorical
• rusty
• Stone Age
• superannuated

Examples of medieval in a Sentence

Adjective

They're using a computer system that seems positively medieval by today's standards.

get rid of that medieval kerosene stove—it stinks and it's dangerous

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Over the past six decades Lucca Comics & Games, which is held annually within the medieval ramparts of the Tuscan town of Lucca, has expanded exponentially to become the largest geek meet in Europe. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024

Its loose plot concerns a pair of fiddlers traveling through the woods in late 19th century Lithuania, a setting that seems obscured, almost medieval, until one glimpses electricity on screen. —Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Michael McElwain: So there are a handful of other exoplanets known that are transiting in a medieval to atmospheric characterization with the James Webb Space Telescope. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024

The site is considered one of the oldest medieval to early modern cemeteries in the city. —Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

New Latin medium aevum Middle Ages

First Known Use

Adjective

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing medieval

• pre-medieval

Kids Definition

medieval

adjective

me·​di·​eval

variants also mediaeval

ˌmēd-ē-ˈē-vəl,

ˌmed-;

mē-ˈdē-vəl,

med-ˈē-

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Middle Ages