Addis Ababa

American  

[ahd-dis ah-buh-bah, ad-is ab-uh-buh] / ˈɑd dɪs ˈɑ bəˌbɑ, ˈæd ɪs ˈæb ə bə /

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Ethiopia, in the central part.

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Addis Ababa British  

/ ˈædɪs ˈæbəbə /

noun

1. the capital of Ethiopia, on a central plateau 2400 m (8000 ft) above sea level: founded in 1887; became capital in 1896. Pop: 2 899 000 (2005 est)

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Addis Ababa Cultural  

1. Capital of Ethiopia and largest city in the country, located in the central region.

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Example Sentences

Last year, the U.S. announced plans to finance a $10 billion airport outside of the capital, Addis Ababa, as part of Washington’s efforts to extend its strategic and commercial interests in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

I watched the almost four-hour long livestream in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, and was mostly intrigued by the sometimes chaotic encounters and activities.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

Ethiopia on Saturday started building what the prime minister says will be Africa's biggest airport when completed in the town of Bishoftu, southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

"As a result, although Israel's unilateral recognition of Somaliland may be quietly welcomed by Ethiopia, Addis Ababa appears to have adopted a cautious "wait-and-see" approach," the analyst added.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

I correctly answered that Tokyo was the capital of Japan, Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia, Ottawa the capital of Canada, and Bogota the capital of Colombia.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper