United Kingdom

American  

noun

1. a kingdom in NW Europe, consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: formerly comprising Great Britain and Ireland 1801–1922. 94,242 sq. mi. (244,100 sq. km). London. U.K.

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United Kingdom British  

noun

1.  UK.  a kingdom of NW Europe, consisting chiefly of the island of Great Britain together with Northern Ireland: became the world's leading colonial power in the 18th century; the first country to undergo the Industrial Revolution. It became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1921, after the rest of Ireland became autonomous as the Irish Free State. Primarily it is a trading nation, the chief exports being manufactured goods; joined the Common Market (now the European Union) in January 1973. Official language: English; Gaelic, Welsh, and other minority languages. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: pound sterling. Capital: London. Pop: 63 395 574 (2013 est). Area: 244 110 sq km (94 251 sq miles) See also Great Britain

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United Kingdom Cultural  

1. Part of the official name of the British nation; the full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes England, Scotland, Wales, and six counties of Ireland, ruled by the king or queen of England, and represented in the nation's parliament.

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Compare meaning

How does united-kingdom compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Great Britain vs. United Kingdom

Example Sentences

“You cannot put on those who have come to the United Kingdom in general to seek asylum what an individual has chosen to do,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

With high pressure building, it will turn drier and sunnier for most parts of the United Kingdom.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

The findings were presented at the European Renal Association Congress in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and were simultaneously published in three leading medical journals: The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

Troccaz, who serves as France's special envoy to the Western Balkans, enjoys support from the United Kingdom and Germany.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Ground, sea, and air troops from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, supported by the French resistance, stormed onto the beaches of Normandy in France.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein