Great Britain

American  

noun

1. an island of NW Europe, separated from the mainland by the English Channel and the North Sea: since 1707 the name has applied politically to England, Scotland, and Wales. 88,139 sq. mi. (228,280 sq. km).

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Great Britain British  

noun

1. England, Wales, and Scotland including those adjacent islands governed from the mainland (i.e. excluding the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands). The United Kingdom of Great Britain was formed by the Act of Union (1707), although the term Great Britain had been in use since 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England (including Wales). Later unions created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1922). Pop: 57 851 100 (2003 est). Area: 229 523 sq km (88 619 sq miles) See also United Kingdom

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Compare meaning

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

• Great Britain vs. United Kingdom
• England vs. Great Britain
• Britain vs. Great Britain

Example Sentences

Representing Great Britain, Yates won the points race at the 2013 Track World Championships before embarking on a professional career on the road.

From BBC

Things were different in Great Britain and her colonies, where dissections left people squeamish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Emma Raducanu withdrew from her tie against Naomi Osaka as Great Britain started their United Cup campaign against Japan in Australia.

From BBC

Emma Raducanu and Billy Harris are representing Great Britain at the tournament and play their first game against Japan in Perth on Sunday.

From BBC

Renewable energy - considered crucial to limiting climate change - produced a record amount of electricity in Great Britain in 2025, BBC analysis shows.

From BBC