Kiribati

American  

[keer-ee-bah-tee, keer-uh-bas] / ˌkɪər iˈbɑ ti, ˈkɪər əˌbæs /

noun

1. a republic in the central Pacific Ocean, on the equator, comprising 33 islands. 263 sq. mi. (681 sq. km). Tarawa.

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Kiribati British  

/ ˌkɪrɪˈbæs, ˌkɪrɪˈbætɪ /

noun

1. an independent republic in the W Pacific: comprises 33 islands including Banaba (Ocean Island), the Gilbert and Phoenix Islands, and eight of the Line Islands; part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands until 1975; became self-governing in 1977 and gained full independence in 1979 as the Republic of Kiribati; a member of the Commonwealth. Official languages: English, I-Kiribati (Gilbertese) is widely spoken. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: Australian dollar. Capital: Bairiki islet, in Tarawa atoll. Pop: 103 248 (2013 est). Area: 684 sq km (264 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

His wife told RNZ that their family was still holding out hope for the 47-year-old, who had been a fisherman in Kiribati before moving to New Zealand in 2003.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

In Kiribati, for instance, studies by Britain and the United States on health and environmental impacts remain classified, preventing victims from learning what was done to them.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Kiribati, another island nation, has said it is exploring an offshore mining partnership with China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

This follows Solomon Islands and Kiribati, which both switched sides in 2019.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 6 independent states that are not in the UN—Holy See, Kiribati, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

From The 1999 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency