1
a
: of, relating to, or composed in Latin
b
2
: of or relating to Latium or the Latins
3
: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope
4
: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages
specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1
: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table
2
: a member of the people of ancient Latium
3
: a Catholic of the Latin rite
4
: a member of one of the Latin peoples
specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America
5

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Catholic Church preferred to use the Latin version of the sacred text. Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 The series is presented by Los Gatos Music & Arts and features jazz, soul and Latin music. Debby Rice, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Noun
But mainly the kids banter in pig Latin or in a screwball repartee fashioned from overheard adult speech. Dan Chiasson, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 Fumero also serves as the showrunner of the FX and Disney+ Latin America docuseries Necaxa. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Latin

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Latin was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective
1
a
: of, relating to, or composed in Latin
Latin grammar
b
: romance
Latin languages
2
: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun
1
: the Italic language of ancient Rome
2
: an ancient Roman
3
: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages
especially : a person born or living in Latin America
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