Madeira

noun

Ma·​dei·​ra mə-ˈdir-ə How to pronounce Madeira (audio) -ˈder- How to pronounce Madeira (audio)
: an amber-colored fortified wine from Madeira
also : a similar wine made elsewhere

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Madeira Islands

First Known Use

circa 1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Madeira was circa 1595

Dictionary Entries Near Madeira

Cite this Entry

“Madeira.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Madeira. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Madeira

geographical name

Ma·​dei·​ra mə-ˈdir-ə How to pronounce Madeira (audio)
-ˈder-ə
1
river 2082 miles (3350 kilometers) long in western Brazil that is formed at the border with Bolivia by the confluence of the Mamoré and the Beni and rivers and flows northeast to the Amazon River
2
islands, two of which are inhabited, belonging to Portugal in the North Atlantic north of the Canaries; capital Funchal area 308 square miles (798 square kilometers), population 261,313
3
chief island of the Madeira Islands; noted for its wine area 285 square miles (741 square kilometers)
Madeiran
mə-ˈdir-ən How to pronounce Madeira (audio)
-ˈder-
adjective or noun

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