Taiwan
Americannoun
noun
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With its first free elections in the 1990s, Taiwan has become a democracy. Its economy is among the strongest in the world.
The United States long supported the Nationalists but broke relations in 1979 to establish relations with the People's Republic of China.
China refuses to accept Taiwan's independence as a nation, viewing it instead as merely a renegade province of China. This issue continues to complicate relations between the United States and China.
When the Chinese communists came to power on the mainland, the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek and some of his army took refuge on Taiwan.
Etymology
Origin of Taiwan
First recorded in 1920–25; from Chinese (Mandarin) Táiwān
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"If there was a war in Taiwan today, the likelihood that China is going to militarise these humanoids and fight effectively is fanciful," he adds.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
But when it comes to resilience, the company plunges to 110th place—a byproduct of its dependence on both Taiwan and China.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
"If South Korea were to pursue nuclear armament, do you really think Japan would stand still? Or Taiwan?" he said.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
TV news stations from around the world, including Taiwan, Japan and Mexico, sent crews to cover the trial.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
On December 4, they are told they are leaving Taiwan.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
