subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 
-nyən
variants
or less commonly subterraneous
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
a subterranean network of criminals
subterraneanly
adverb
or less commonly subterraneously
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Go Underground With Subterranean
A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.
Examples of subterranean in a Sentence
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s even a hair salon, a spa, and even a gym, not to mention a subterranean garage that fits up to 16 cars.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
Libretto Jazz Club This subterranean performance venue hosts internationally recognized talent each week across jazz, blues, classical, and opera performances.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
This flow, which is sometimes subterranean, is what interests me the most in cultural history.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The project includes a subterranean parking structure; there would be one space per unit and another 41 spaces for the public and the church.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
Libretto Jazz Club This subterranean performance venue hosts internationally recognized talent each week across jazz, blues, classical, and opera performances.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
This flow, which is sometimes subterranean, is what interests me the most in cultural history.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The project includes a subterranean parking structure; there would be one space per unit and another 41 spaces for the public and the church.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən
-nyən
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
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