Palestine
PluralPalestines
- 1A country in the Middle East made up of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Many countries have officially recognized Palestine as an independent state.
She traveled to Palestine to visit relatives in the West Bank.
Note
- 2The old region by the eastern Mediterranean, around modern Israel and the Palestinian territories, often called the Holy Land.
Palestine has been home to many different peoples over thousands of years.
Travelers in ancient times crossed Palestine on the way between Egypt and Syria.
UsageThe name you use for this land can show a political view.
Note
- 3The land Britain ruled from 1920 to 1948, which is now Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Britain governed Palestine for nearly thirty years before its mandate ended.
Stamps and coins were issued for Palestine while Britain controlled the territory.
UsageSay British-ruled Palestine to show you mean this time, not today's country.
Note
Less common meanings
- 4Any of four old Roman and Byzantine provinces in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Roman officials governed Palestine as a province of the empire.
Over time, Palestine was divided into several smaller provinces.
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- 5Philistia, the ancient land along the coast where the Philistine people lived.
In the west, moreover, as we have seen, he crushed Damascus, and forced Phenicia, Edom, the kingdom of Israel, and "Palestine" or Philistia, to continue the tribute they had agreed to pay Shalmaneser II.
1882, [John] Cunningham Geikie, Hours With the BibleHere, Palestine means the old coastal land where the Philistines lived.UsageSay Philistia for this old land, so no one thinks of modern Palestine.
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- 6An old, no-longer-used word for a Philistine, a member of an ancient people of the eastern Mediterranean coast.
The Paleſtines aſſailing the Hebrewes, are overcome by them in battell.
1602, The Famous and Memorable Workes of IoſephusHere, Palestines means Philistines, members of that ancient people.UsageThis is not Palestinian. Today people say Philistine.
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- 7A city in eastern Texas, the seat of Anderson County.
- 8A small community without its own town government, in Wirt County, West Virginia.
- 9A village in Crawford County, in southeastern Illinois.
- 10A small village in Darke County, in the state of Ohio.
- 11A small town in St. Francis County, in eastern Arkansas.
- 12A township in Woodford County, in central Illinois.
- 13A community in Newtown, in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
- 14A small community without its own town government, in Brookville Township, Franklin County, Indiana.
- 15A small community without its own town government, in Harrison Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana.
- 16A township, which is a small unit of local government, in Story County, Iowa.
- 17A township, which is a small unit of local government, in Cooper County, Missouri.
- 18A small community without its own town government, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
- 19A town that no longer exists, once in Shawswick Township, Lawrence County, Indiana.
- 20A community in the City of Kawartha Lakes, in Ontario, Canada.
- 21A village in Over Wallop parish, in Hampshire, England.
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Origins
The name came into English from Latin Palaestina, the Roman name for the province. Latin took it from Greek, which probably got it, perhaps through Aramaic, from a Hebrew word meaning "land of the Philistines."
This form comes from Latin Palaestinus, which came from Greek Palaistinòs.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Palestine, in its archaic sense ‘a Philistine’, comes from Latin Palaestinus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin Palaestinus comes from Greek Palaistinòs. en.wiktionary.org