1
: a member of any of the Greek peoples who settled on the islands of the Aegean Sea and the western shore of Asia Minor toward the end of the second millennium b.c.
2
: a native or inhabitant of Ionia
Ionian adjective

Word History

Etymology

Ionia, Asia Minor

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ionian was in 1550

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Cite this Entry

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

Geographical Definition

Ionia

geographical name

ancient region of western Asia Minor bordering on the Aegean Sea west of Lydia and Caria

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