Senegal

American  

[sen-i-gawl, -gahl] / ˌsɛn ɪˈgɔl, -ˈgɑl /

noun

1. a republic in western Africa, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by Mali. 76,084 square miles (197,057 square kilometers). Dakar.

2. a river in western Africa, flowing northwest from eastern Mali to the Atlantic Ocean at Saint-Louis in Senegal. About 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) long.

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Senegal British  

/ ˌsɛnɪˈɡɔːl /

noun

1. a republic in West Africa, on the Atlantic: made part of French West Africa in 1895; became fully independent in 1960; joined with The Gambia to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); mostly low-lying, with semidesert in the north and tropical forest in the southwest Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Dakar. Pop: 13 300 410 (2013 est). Area: 197 160 sq km (76 124 sq miles)

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Senegal Cultural  

1. Republic in western Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Dakar is the capital and largest city.

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Discover More

Senegal was a French colony from 1895 to 1958. It became fully independent in 1960.

Etymology

Origin of Senegal

First recorded in 1750–60; from French Sénégal, named after the Senegal River

Example Sentences

Norway was drawn into arguably the most difficult of the 12 World Cup groups, one which includes France, ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, No. 14 Senegal, and Iraq.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Also invited were the two other declared candidates: Argentina's Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency; and the former president of Senegal, Macky Sall, with the latter sending a short video message.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

His relationship with Tuchel has frequently come under scrutiny, with the manager describing Bellingham's on-field behaviour during last June's defeat by Senegal as "repulsive" – a remark Tuchel later apologised for.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Its first game against No. 14 Senegal — a longtime French colony — will be its toughest in group play.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Gabourey’s father is from Senegal, and she said she loves it when black women wear their hair in traditional African styles.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana