: a Semitic language originally of the Arabs of the Hejaz and Nejd that is now the prevailing speech of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the language Arabic
… Arabic neologisms of the nineteenth century …—
Bernard Lewis
Bernard LewisHis bibliography contains no classical Arabic texts and only a handful of dubiously transliterated recent Arabic titles …—Pierre Cachia
Pierre Cachia… edited and reviewed by Arabic scholars in Paris …—Edwin McDowell
Edwin McDowell2
: expressed in or utilizing Arabic numerals
21 is an Arabic number.
Arabic notation
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Arabia or the Arabs
As Arabic music permeates various other sounds, so are western sounds finding their way into various Arabic musics.—Hank Bordowitz
Hank BordowitzThe Middle East meets the Wild West in this variation on Arabic hummus.—Steven Raichlen
Steven RaichlenThere still exist some folk instruments in Portugal whose names indicate their Arabic origin.—Alexander Buchner
Alexander BuchnerExamples of Arabic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Filip Timotija, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
French, Portuguese and Arabic are some of the most popular languages spoken in West African countries.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
Kristian Burt, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024
Most polls over the last year have shown Palestinians more inclined to embrace the militancy of Hamas, an Arabic acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Arabic 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Noun
Officials said the Uber driver stopped at a red light and began praying in Arabic.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
French, Portuguese and Arabic are some of the most popular languages spoken in West African countries.
—Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The Arabic and Hebrew posters displayed in Palestine Square (Felestin Square) include the phrase, 'When a great person is lost, another great person comes in their place'.
—Kristian Burt, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024
Most polls over the last year have shown Palestinians more inclined to embrace the militancy of Hamas, an Arabic acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Arabic
Dictionary Entries Near Arabic
Cite this Entry
“Arabic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Arabic. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share