Minoan

1 of 2

adjective

Mi·​no·​an mə-ˈnō-ən How to pronounce Minoan (audio)
mī-
: of or relating to a Bronze Age culture of Crete that flourished about 3000 b.c.–1100 b.c.

Minoan

2 of 2

noun

: a native or inhabitant of ancient Crete

Examples of Minoan in a Sentence

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Noun
Minoan culture was a big influence on things that are happening in the sequel. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026 Also, the fact that women in Minoan culture in Greece or Crete swam with the dolphins can be related to our present time. — Vogue, 22 May 2025 One of the societies most affected was the Minoan civilization, based on Crete. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026 Tonight marks the end of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, something that has been part of the discourse since at least the 1700s, and perhaps as early as Minoan Crete. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for Minoan

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin minous of Minos, from Greek minōios, from Minōs Minos

First Known Use

Adjective

1830, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Minoan was in 1830

Rhymes for Minoan

See All Rhymes for Minoan

Browse Nearby Words

minny
Minoan
mino bird
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Minoan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Minoan. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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