mare nostrum

noun

ma·​re no·​strum ˈmär-(ˌ)ā-ˈnō-strəm How to pronounce mare nostrum (audio)
: a navigable body of water (such as a sea) that belongs to a single nation or is mutually shared by two or more nations

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, our sea

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mare nostrum was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near mare nostrum

Cite this Entry

“Mare nostrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mare%20nostrum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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