Medina
/mɛˈdiːnə/noun
A city in western Saudi Arabia, sacred in Islam and historically known as Yathrib.
Did you know?Medina comes from Arabic al-madīna, but its deeper Semitic root d-y-n is tied to the idea of judgment or governance, which is why the word can feel so solemn and official in older contexts.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Arabic Semitic
Semitic
d-y-n
“A root connected with judging, law, or governing.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
al-madīna
“The city; the town, especially the center of settlement and authority.”
7th Century
Arabic
al-Madīna
“The city of the Prophet Muhammad, formerly Yathrib.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Medina
“A transliterated name for the Islamic holy city.”
Modern English
English
Medina
“The sacred city in Saudi Arabia, also used as a place name elsewhere.”