Italy

American  

[it-l-ee] / ˈɪt l i /

noun

1. a republic in southern Europe, comprising a peninsula south of the Alps, and Sicily, Sardinia, Elba, and other smaller islands: a kingdom 1870–1946. 116,294 sq. mi. (301,200 sq. km). Rome.

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Italy British  

/ ˈɪtəlɪ /

noun

1. Italian name: Italia.  a republic in S Europe, occupying a peninsula in the Mediterranean between the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic Seas, with the islands of Sardinia and Sicily to the west: first united under the Romans but became fragmented into numerous political units in the Middle Ages; united kingdom proclaimed in 1861; under the dictatorship of Mussolini (1922–43); became a republic in 1946; a member of the European Union. It is generally mountainous, with the Alps in the north and the Apennines running the length of the peninsula. Official language: Italian. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: euro. Capital: Rome. Pop: 61 482 297 (2013 est) Area: 301 247 sq km (116 312 sq miles)

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Italy Cultural  

1. Republic in southern Europe, jutting into the Mediterranean Sea as a boot-shaped peninsula, surrounded on the east, south, and west by arms of the Mediterranean, and bordered to the northwest by France, to the north by Switzerland and Austria, and to the northeast by Yugoslavia. The country includes the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as well as many smaller islands, such as Capri. Its capital and largest city is Rome.

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Discover More

Italian cooking, featuring pasta, has become a staple of the American diet.

Italy was the core of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire from the fourth century b.c. to the fifth century a.d.

Beginning in the fourteenth century, the Italian Renaissance brought Europe out of the Middle Ages with its outstanding contributions to the arts. To this day, Italy continues to be associated with great artistic achievement and is home to countless masterpieces.

Under the fascist leadership of Benito Mussolini (see fascism), Italy began colonization in Africa and entered a military alliance with Germany and Japan. These countries were known as the Axis powers in World War II.

Italy has been a member of NATO since 1949.

Example Sentences

The Group of Seven brings together the heads of government of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with invited leaders from several other countries.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

Erbstein revolutionized soccer in Italy before dying in 1949, along with the entire Torino team, when their plane crashed into a hilltop outside Turin.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

The military officer awaiting trial in Hamburg was arrested in Italy in August 2025, according to German court documents, and transferred to Germany in November.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Moments after Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, Dzeko celebrated cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

In January 1944, the country renounced its diplomatic ties with Germany, Japan, Italy, and their Axis allies.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield