Standard Lemma guide

ecumene

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /iːˈkjuː.mə.ni/

1

noun

Meaning 1

All known inhabited and civilized areas of the world.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Qualifier: inherently emic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: civilization

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: civilization

Antonyms: anecumene, wilderness, wilds, wasteland

2

noun

Meaning 2

Unification of Christianity and of Christendom.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: lifestyle, religion

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Ancient Greek οἰκουμένη (oikouménē, “inhabited world”), from οἰκέω (oikéō, “I inhabit, dwell”), from οἶκος (oîkos, “residence”).

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: oikumene — inhabited areas of the world
  • French: écoumène — inhabited areas of the world
  • Gothic: 𐌼𐌹𐌳𐌾𐌿𐌽𐌲𐌰𐍂𐌳𐍃 (midjungards) — inhabited areas of the world
  • Italian: ecumene — inhabited areas of the world
  • Old Church Slavonic: въселенаꙗ (vŭselenaja) — inhabited areas of the world
  • Polish: ekumena — inhabited areas of the world
  • Russian: ойкуме́на (ojkuména) — inhabited areas of the world