medina: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Travel Writing, Historical/Geographical
Quick answer
What does “medina” mean?
The old, historic, non-European quarter of a North African town, typically with narrow, maze-like streets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The old, historic, non-European quarter of a North African town, typically with narrow, maze-like streets.
By extension, can refer to the historic core or walled city of any town, especially in Arabic-speaking regions. In proper nouns, it refers to the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. More likely to appear in British media due to historical colonial and travel connections to North Africa.
Connotations
In both, it connotes exoticism, history, and traditional culture. Neutral in academic/travel contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English but remains a low-frequency term overall.
Grammar
How to Use “medina” in a Sentence
the medina of [City Name]the [City Name] medinavisit/explore/wander through the medinaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medina” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The medina experience is unforgettable.
- They offer a medina walking tour.
American English
- The medina experience is unforgettable.
- They offer a medina walking tour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism/travel industry contexts (e.g., 'medina hotel', 'medina tour guide').
Academic
Used in geography, urban studies, history, and Islamic studies to describe traditional urban morphology.
Everyday
Used primarily by travelers, in travel writing, documentaries, or when discussing North African culture.
Technical
Used in archaeology, heritage conservation, and urban planning related to the Islamic world.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “medina”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “medina”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medina”
- Capitalizing it when not referring to the Saudi city (e.g., 'We visited the Medina' vs. 'We visited the medina').
- Using it to refer to any old part of any European city (it has a specific cultural/geographical association).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. The 'medina' is the entire old walled city. The 'casbah' (or kasbah) is typically a fortress or citadel within the medina, often housing the ruler's palace.
Only when it is part of a proper noun, like the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. When used as a generic term for an old quarter, it is written in lowercase.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. Most English speakers would encounter it mainly in travel, history, or geography contexts.
It would be inaccurate and stylistically odd. 'Medina' is strongly tied to the Islamic urban tradition of North Africa and the Middle East. Use 'historic centre', 'old town', or similar terms for European cities.
The old, historic, non-European quarter of a North African town, typically with narrow, maze-like streets.
Medina is usually formal, academic, travel writing, historical/geographical in register.
Medina: in British English it is pronounced /məˈdiːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈdiːnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a specific noun and not used idiomatically.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine getting lost in the MEDItative labyrinth of a MEDINA.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CITY IS A LABYRINTH/MAZE (applied to the medina's layout).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'medina' (lowercase) most accurately used?