Middle Ages

plural noun

: the period of European history from about a.d. 500 to about 1500

Examples of Middle Ages in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The black plague killed about 25 million people in Europe during Middle Ages — and currently affects about five to 15 people each year in the U.S. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, or neck; high fever; chills, and muscle cramps. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 Lantos’ production Rise of the Raven, a massive, Middle Ages–set 10-hour series, shot entirely in the country despite the story taking place everywhere from Serbia to Turkey. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024 The researchers said it was commonly used by infantrymen during that period, the late Middle Ages to the Early Renaissance, and may have been used by troops on a ship. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024 But recent research pushes back against the depiction of the early Middle Ages as ignorant and superstitious, arguing that there is a consistency and rationality to healing practices at that time. Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023 The Cheerios are a modern twist, but since the Middle Ages Jews have been flinging breadcrumbs, scraps of paper or prayers into water on Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish new year. Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023 The Christian monks of Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages never fully resolved the struggle between their aspirations and their distractions. Jamie Kreiner, Time, 5 Jan. 2023 In reality, most Vikings were Middle Ages farmers who wore simple, durable clothing, says Ulla Mannering, an archaeologist who researches North European textiles and costumes at the National Museum of Denmark. Molly Glick, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2021 Since at least the Middle Ages it has been associated with various forms of love — platonic, spiritual and romantic. Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Middle Ages was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near Middle Ages

Cite this Entry

“Middle Ages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Middle%20Ages. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Middle Ages

plural noun
: the period of European history from about a.d. 500 to about 1500

More from Merriam-Webster on Middle Ages

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