# Mayan

/ˈmaɪən/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mayan
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

relating to the Maya people, their culture, or their language. You use this to describe things from this ancient civilization in Central America.

For teachers: relating to the Maya people of southern Mexico and Central America, or their civilization and languages. Often used to describe archaeological sites, historical periods, or cultural artifacts.

## Examples

- We visited several Mayan ruins during our trip to Mexico.
- Archaeologists recently discovered a hidden Mayan temple deep within the Guatemalan jungle.
- The Mayan calendar is renowned for its mathematical precision and its sophisticated understanding of celestial cycles, reflecting the advanced astronomical knowledge of the civilization.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an adjective to modify nouns like 'culture', 'ruins', or 'languages'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.