subterranean

adjective

sub·​ter·​ra·​nean ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 

-nyən

variants or less commonly subterraneous

ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs 

-nyəs

1

: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth

2

: existing or working in secret : hidden

a subterranean network of criminals

subterraneanly adverb

or less commonly subterraneously

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Go Underground With Subterranean

A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.

Synonyms

• belowground
• subsurface
• underground

Examples of subterranean in a Sentence

a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast

Recent Examples on the Web

Take the discreet sidewalk stairs down to the subterranean store to find rare, limited, and out-of-print photo books. —Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024

Meanwhile, a partially subterranean lower level includes a movie theater, a gym set behind floor-to-ceiling glass panels, and a three-car garage with EV charging stations. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2024

At the June meeting in Kyoto, an urban entomologist at LSU named Qian Sun presented a paper on the corpse-management practices of the eastern subterranean variety. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2024

The fierce storm also felled two large trees near the Circus Maximus, flooded the Trevi Fountain and flooded the Colosseum’s subterranean tunnels, reports CNN. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin subterraneus, from sub- + terra earth — more at thirst

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subterranean

adjective

sub·​ter·​ra·​nean ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 

-nyən

1

: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth

2

: existing or working in secret : hidden