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.
Examples of subterranean in a Sentence
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
Recent Examples on the Web
Today, visitors can explore the original mid century structures as well as several others, including a unique subterranean painting gallery.
—
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
But transit sources told the Daily News an investigation into the cause of the explosion was ongoing – and that the subterranean substation remains out of commission for the foreseeable future.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
The hidden subterranean oasis spa offers true tranquility.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024
Eventually, Champagne houses discovered that these subterranean galleries, with their cathedral-like vaults, provided the ideal environment for aging bubbles due to their consistent temperature and humidity levels.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subterranean 
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Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
But transit sources told the Daily News an investigation into the cause of the explosion was ongoing – and that the subterranean substation remains out of commission for the foreseeable future.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
The hidden subterranean oasis spa offers true tranquility.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024
Eventually, Champagne houses discovered that these subterranean galleries, with their cathedral-like vaults, provided the ideal environment for aging bubbles due to their consistent temperature and humidity levels.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subterranean
Dictionary Entries Near subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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