Definition

Relating to noon or the highest point of something, such as development or power.

Example

The empire reached its meridian during the reign of the great king.

Conversation

Did you know that the meridian sun is the brightest at noon?

Yeah, it's amazing how intense the light can get at that time.

I always feel more energetic during the meridian hours.

Same here! It makes me want to go outside and enjoy the day.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A line on the Earth's surface that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, used in geography and astronomy to measure longitude.

Example

The Prime Meridian is the starting point for measuring longitude around the world.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about the concept of a meridian in acupuncture?

Yeah, I think it refers to those pathways in the body, right?

Exactly! They say each meridian corresponds to different organs.

Root Explanation

Meridian → It is formed from "meridies" (meaning midday or noon) in Latin, which is derived from "medius" (meaning middle) and "diēs" (meaning day). The word "meridian" refers to the middle of the day, or the highest point of the sun in the sky.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'midday' — 'meridies' means midday, and that's when the sun is at its highest point.

Visually Confused Words