bireme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicTechnical / Historical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “bireme” mean?
An ancient ship, especially of Phoenician, Greek or Roman design, with two tiers of oars on each side.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient ship, especially of Phoenician, Greek or Roman design, with two tiers of oars on each side.
It may refer broadly to any ancient vessel propelled primarily by two rows of oarsmen. It is a historical and archeological term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Historical and classical antiquity.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bireme” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] bireme [VERBed].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bireme” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bireme design was revolutionary for its time.
American English
- They studied bireme construction techniques.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and classical studies texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in specific discussions of naval architecture history and marine archaeology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bireme”
- Pronouncing it as /bɪˈriːm/ or /ˈbɜː.riːm/.
- Using it to refer to any old ship, rather than specifically a two-tiered oared vessel.
- Misspelling as 'byreme' or 'birem'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Biremes are from classical Mediterranean antiquity (e.g., Greek, Roman), while Viking longships are from a later, Northern European period and have a different design.
The trireme, which featured three banks of oars, became the dominant warship in the centuries following the bireme's peak.
No complete original biremes survive. Our knowledge comes from historical accounts, art, and the study of shipwrecks. Modern replicas have been built.
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term used almost exclusively in historical or academic contexts.
An ancient ship, especially of Phoenician, Greek or Roman design, with two tiers of oars on each side.
Bireme is usually technical / historical / academic in register.
Bireme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.riːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.riːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BI (two) + REME (like 'ream' of paper in layers) = a ship with TWO layers of oars.
Practice
Quiz
What is a key defining feature of a bireme?