Mesopotamia

[ mes-uh-puh-tey-mee-uh ]
/ ˌmɛs ə pəˈteɪ mi ə /

noun

an ancient region in W Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers: now part of Iraq.

OTHER WORDS FROM Mesopotamia

Mes·o·po·ta·mi·an, adjective, noun

Example sentences from the Web for mesopotamia

British Dictionary definitions for mesopotamia

Mesopotamia
/ (ˌmɛsəpəˈteɪmɪə) /

noun

a region of SW Asia between the lower and middle reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers: site of several ancient civilizations

Word Origin for Mesopotamia

Latin from Greek mesopotamia ( khora) (the land) between rivers

Cultural definitions for mesopotamia

Mesopotamia
[ (mes-uh-puh-tay-mee-uh) ]

A region of western Asia, in what is now Iraq, known as the “cradle of civilization.” Western writing first developed there, done with sticks on clay tablets. Agricultural organization on a large scale also began in Mesopotamia, along with work in bronze and iron (see Bronze Age and Iron Age). Governmental systems in the region were especially advanced (see Babylon (see also Babylon) and Hammurabi). A number of peoples lived in Mesopotamia, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Hittites, and Assyrians.