Liberia

American  

[lahy-beer-ee-uh] / laɪˈbɪər i ə /

noun

1. a republic in West Africa: founded in 1822 by freeborn and formerly enslaved Black people from the United States. About 43,000 sq. mi. (111,000 sq. km). Monrovia.

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Liberia British  

/ laɪˈbɪərɪə /

noun

1. a republic in W Africa, on the Atlantic: originated in 1822 as a home for freed Afro-American slaves, with land purchased by the American Colonization Society; republic declared in 1847; exports are predominantly rubber and iron ore. Official language: English. Religion: Christian majority, also animist. Currency: dollar. Capital: Monrovia. Pop: 3 989 703 (2013 est). Area: 111 400 sq km (43 000 sq miles)

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Liberia Cultural  

1. Republic in western Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, the Ivory Coast to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.

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Discover More

The American Colonization Society began settlement of black Americans, most of them freed slaves, in 1822. Eventually, 15,000 blacks emigrated to Liberia.

A civil war that commenced in 1989 and that lasted until the mid-1990s claimed more than 150,000 lives.

Other Word Forms

• Liberian
  adjective
• anti-Liberian
  adjective
• pro-Liberian
  adjective
• trans-Liberian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Liberia

First recorded in 1825–30; from Latin līber “free” + -ia ( def. )

Example Sentences

He spent three weeks in isolation after catching Ebola while caring for patients in Liberia.

From Slate • May 14, 2026

In recent years, the Grinch, previously named Carl and Carlton, has sailed under the flags of Barbados, Gabon, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, French officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

She also pointed out that the administration “did not just stonewall,” but “affirmatively misled the tribunal” by claiming it could only send Abrego Garcia to Liberia because Costa Rica “does not wish to receive” him.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2025

George Weah, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, played for Liberia - who have never reached a World Cup.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

The boys came from Liberia, Kosovo, Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, Bosnia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan, and while most spoke some English, they had little in common.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John