Kinshasa

American  

[kin-shah-suh, kin-shah-suh] / kɪnˈʃɑ sə, ˈkɪn ʃɑ sə /

noun

1. a port in and capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the northwestern part, on the Congo (Zaire) River.

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Kinshasa British  

/ -ˈʃɑːsə, kɪnˈʃɑːzə /

noun

1. Former name (until 1966): Léopoldville.  the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre), on the River Congo opposite Brazzaville: became capital of the Belgian Congo in 1929 and of Zaïre in 1960; university (1954). Pop: 5 717 000 (2005 est)

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Example Sentences

So were its transport systems: If this were happening two years ago, the agency likely would have managed the conveyance of Ebola samples from suspected outbreaks to Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, where they could be tested.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

The WHO has recorded 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 220 suspected deaths in the DRC since mid-May, while also recording a further 900 suspected cases since Kinshasa declared the outbreak on May 15.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Speaking by telephone from his hotel room in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, he says he has no idea what the future holds.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The mid-range apartment hotel where they are staying is on the outskirts of Kinshasa, near the international airport in the Mikindo district, one of the poorest in the city.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

We repeat these words as if we’re trying to memorize a false identity: I live in Kinshasa, Zaire.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver