Mali

American  

[mah-lee] / ˈmɑ li /

noun

1. Republic of Mali, a republic in western Africa: formerly a territory of France; gained independence 1960. 463,500 sq. mi. (120,000 sq. km). Bamako.

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Mali British  

/ ˈmɑːlɪ /

noun

1. Former name (1898–1959): French Sudan.  a landlocked republic in West Africa: conquered by the French by 1898 and incorporated (as French Sudan) into French West Africa; became independent in 1960; settled chiefly in the basins of the Rivers Senegal and Niger in the south. Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority, also animist. Currency: franc. Capital: Bamako. Pop: 15 968 882 (2013 est). Area: 1 248 574 sq km (482 077 sq miles)

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Mali Cultural  

1. Republic in west Africa bordered by Algeria to the north and east, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast to the south, Guinea to the southwest, Senegal and Mauritania to the west. Its capital is Bamako. It became an independent nation in 1960.

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Discover More

During the Middle Ages, Mali formed a huge territorial empire, noted as a center of Islamic study and as a trade route for gold. Its center was Timbuktu.

Other Word Forms

• Malian
  noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Mali

"The delivery highlights that despite recent setbacks, Mali remains central to Russia's strategy in Africa, and the Africa Corps is a key pillar in Bamako's fight against militant groups."

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

A historically nomadic people, Tuaregs, who are spread across Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya and Burkina Faso, have waged an armed struggle for decades against marginalisation, with action centred in particular around Kidal.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026

The former Nottingham Forest boss was only appointed in January replacing Sami Trabelsi, who left his role following a last-16 defeat to Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

Ahead of their departure, Iran played a final friendly against Mali in Antalya on Thursday, which they won 2-0.

From Barron's ● Jun. 6, 2026

These survive in the Latin proverb Mali corvi malum ovum—an immemorial testament to the discovery that it is possible to be too much of a smart-ass.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith