hansa Definition
- 1a medieval guild or group of merchants who engaged in trade in the Baltic and North Seas
- 2a fleet of such merchants
Using hansa: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hansa" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The Hanseatic League was a powerful economic and defensive alliance of merchant guilds.
Example
The Hansa controlled much of the trade in the Baltic and North Seas during the Middle Ages.
Example
The Hansa was instrumental in the development of early capitalism in Europe.
hansa Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for hansa
- association
- guild
- syndicate
- league
- consortium
Phrases with hansa
Example
Lübeck was one of the most important Hanseatic cities.
Example
Hanseatic trade routes extended from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.
Example
The Hanseatic warehouse in Bergen, Norway, is now a museum.
Origins of hansa
from Middle Low German 'hanse', meaning 'guild, association'
Summary: hansa in Brief
'Hansa' [hahn-suh] refers to a medieval guild or group of merchants who engaged in trade in the Baltic and North Seas. It also denotes a fleet of such merchants. The Hanseatic League was a powerful economic and defensive alliance of merchant guilds that controlled much of the trade in the region during the Middle Ages. 'Hansa' extends into phrases like 'Hanseatic city,' referring to a city that was a member of the league, and 'Hanseatic trade,' denoting trade conducted by the league.