Hellenistic

adjective

Hel·​le·​nis·​tic ˌhe-lə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce Hellenistic (audio)
1
: of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great
2
: of or relating to the Hellenists
Hellenistically adverb

Examples of Hellenistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Listing image by Espressif Enlarge / Archaeologists used cosmic rays to detect a secret underground burial chamber from the Hellenistic period in Naples, circa late fourth century/early third century BCE. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 15 May 2023 The moat was likely used through the Hellenistic period, when it was ultimately filled in. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 Alexander’s expansive empire marked what historians call the Hellenistic period, which lasted from his death to the rise of the Roman Empire. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2024 Some Jews happily walked through the doors of assimilation into Antiochus’ Hellenistic ways. TIME, 11 Dec. 2023 The remains of its Hellenistic and Roman buildings lay amid rivulets and lush vegetation. Charlotte Higgins, Travel + Leisure, 9 Oct. 2023 In Cleopatra’s time, Alexandria, the capital of her kingdom, was a cosmopolitan port city bustling with Greeks, Jews, ethnic Egyptians and people from all over who, the Cambridge University historian David Abulafia said, largely saw themselves as part of the Hellenistic world. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 10 May 2023 The settlement began to take shape as a more modern city during the Hellenistic period, circa 330 B.C. Jerash's heyday arguably began in the first several centuries under the Roman Empire, back when the city's most prominent architectural structures were built under Emperor Hadrian. Jess McHugh, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023 The exhibition also includes archaic and classical Greek statues, Hellenistic figures, and Roman portraits and bronzes. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Hellenistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hellenistic was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near Hellenistic

Cite this Entry

“Hellenistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hellenistic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Hellenistic

adjective
Hel·​le·​nis·​tic ˌhel-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce Hellenistic (audio)
: of or relating to the widespread Greek-based culture that developed after the conquests of Alexander the Great
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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