What does "medina" mean?
The traditional, older or non-European area of a North African town.
Medina
/məˈdinə/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The traditional, older or non-European area of a North African town.
- Grammar: medina is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: historic quarter, madinah, old quarter, old town.
- Useful contrasts: modern district, new town, suburban district.
- Usage evidence: The prophet Muhammad died in Medina in 632.
How to use "medina"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "medina" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "medina" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "medina" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "medina" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "medina" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "historic quarter" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "medina", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The traditional, older or non-European area of a North African town.
"Although Hicham usually worked in the new town, he still lived in the medina."
- 2 the ancient quarter of many cities in northern Africa wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A major city, the capital of Medina province, Saudi Arabia, holy to Islam, 200 miles north of Mecca along the Hejaz, from which the Hijra was launched; contains Muhammad's tomb.
- 2 A river, flowing south to north through the centre of the Isle of Wight, England; in full, the River Medina.
- 3 A river in south central Texas, which gives its name to Medina County; in full, the Medina River.
- 4 A suburb of Perth, Western Australia.
- 5 A province of Saudi Arabia.
Show 22 more definitions
- 6 A former borough of the Isle of Wight, England.
- 7 A surname from Spanish.
"“It’s a great message that we’re sending not only here in Huntington Park but in other cities as well,” Medina added."
- 8 A municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- 9 A city, the county seat of Medina County, Ohio, named for the city in Saudi Arabia.
- 10 A female given name transferred from the surname.
- 11 A community in Zorra Township, Ontario, Canada.
- 12 A municipality and town in Cundinamarca department, Colombia.
- 13 A municipal district of San Cristóbal province, Dominican Republic.
- 14 A village in Tolna County, Hungary.
- 15 A rural locality in Hurunui district, Canterbury, New Zealand; a short river named the Medina River is nearby.
- 16 A municipality of Misamis Oriental, Philippines.
- 17 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Kansas.
- 18 A number of places in the United States:; A city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
- 19 A number of places in the United States:; A village in Orleans County, New York.
- 20 A number of places in the United States:; A tiny city in Stutsman County, North Dakota.
- 21 A number of places in the United States:; A small city in Gibson County, Tennessee.
- 22 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Bandera County, Texas.
- 23 A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Zapata County, Texas.
- 24 A number of places in the United States:; A small city in King County, Washington.
- 25 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia.
- 26 A number of places in the United States:; A town in Dane County, Wisconsin.
- 27 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in the town of Dale, Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
modern districtnew townsuburban district
Example
"The prophet Muhammad died in Medina in 632."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "medina"?
Common synonyms include: historic quarter, madinah, old quarter, old town, walled city.
How do you use "medina" in a sentence?
The prophet Muhammad died in Medina in 632.
How do you pronounce "medina"?
Pronounced /məˈdinə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Arabic اَلْمَدِينَة (al-madīna, “the city”). Doublet of Mdina.
Etymology 2
Inherited from Middle English Medine, from Old English medume (“the middle one”).
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Spanish Medina.
Etymology 4
Borrowed from Arabic مَدِينَة (madīna, “town, city”).