Bahrain

American  

[bah-reyn, -rahyn, buh-] / bɑˈreɪn, -ˈraɪn, bə- /

Or Bahrein

noun

1. a sheikdom in the Persian Gulf, consisting of a group of islands: formerly a British protectorate; declared independent 1971. 232 sq. mi. (601 sq. km). Manama.

2. the largest island in this group, and the site of most of the country's oil fields. 213 sq. mi. (552 sq. km).

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Bahrain British  

/ bɑːˈreɪn /

noun

1. an independent sheikhdom on the Persian Gulf, consisting of several islands: under British protection until the declaration of independence in 1971. It has large oil reserves. Language: Arabic. Religion: Muslim. Currency: dinar. Capital: Manama. Pop: 1 281 332 (2013 est). Area: 678 sq km (262 sq miles)

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Bahrain Cultural  

1. Island kingdom in the Persian Gulf off the coasts of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

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Discover More

Revenues from oil reserves, first discovered in 1931, have funded some of the most progressive programs in the Arabian nations.

British protectorate from 1820 to 1971.

Example Sentences

Jordan's military said it shot down five missiles from Iran, with no casualties or material damage, while Bahrain said it intercepted and destroyed "a number of Iranian aerial attacks".

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

The Gulf oil states, allies of the US, and in the case of the UAE and Bahrain of Israel too, have suffered hammer blows.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahrain air defense forces, Central Command added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Bahrain meanwhile announced a 30-day ban on visitors from the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

People in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, and Libya, by pushing for democracy, are arguing, in effect, for the right to argue.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith