antebellum

adjective

an·​te·​bel·​lum ˌan-ti-ˈbe-ləm How to pronounce antebellum (audio)
: existing before a war
especially : existing before the American Civil War
antebellum houses
the antebellum South

Examples of antebellum 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.
These roots help connect inmate firefighting in 2025 with enslaved firefighting in the antebellum South. Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025 While the New York production created a cavernous, high-ceiling Southern mansion, Newport says the antebellum Arkansas plantation had to be entirely rethought for the GableStage space, housed since 1998 in the former horse stables at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025 The coast of Alabama Mobile, Alabama, is a historic, coastal city on scenic Mobile Bay, famed for fresh oysters and antebellum architecture. Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025 Five Silver Batons awarded to journalists who re-examined the topic at various points in U.S. history – from the antebellum South to current-day examples of the racial divide in America. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for antebellum 

Word History

Etymology

Latin ante bellum before the war

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antebellum was in 1826

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near antebellum

Cite this Entry

“Antebellum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antebellum. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

antebellum

adjective
an·​te·​bel·​lum ˌant-i-ˈbel-əm How to pronounce antebellum (audio)
: existing before a war
especially : existing before the American Civil War

More from Merriam-Webster on antebellum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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