Gambia

American  

[gam-bee-uh] / ˈgæm bi ə /

noun

1. a river in W Africa, flowing W to the Atlantic. 500 miles (800 km) long.

2. The, a republic extending inland along both sides of this river: formerly a British crown colony and protectorate; gained independence 1965; member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 4,003 sq. mi. (10,368 sq. km). Banjul.

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Gambia British  

/ ˈɡæmbɪə /

noun

1. a republic in W Africa, entirely surrounded by Senegal except for an outlet to the Atlantic: sold to English merchants by the Portuguese in 1588; became a British colony in 1843; gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth in 1965; joined with Senegal to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); consists of a strip of land about 16 km (10 miles) wide, on both banks of the Gambia River, extending inland for about 480 km (300 miles). Official language: English. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: dalasi. Capital: Banjul. Pop: 1 883 051 (2013 est). Area: 11 295 sq km (4361 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Gambian
  adjective

Example Sentences

The trip from The Gambia to the Canaries is 1,000 nautical miles, meaning there is a vast region where the boat might be, Samira said.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

With many recent departures taking place from further south in The Gambia and Guinea, migrants are now spending longer at sea and facing more hardships.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Ivan's ship was sailing under a false Gambian flag, unregistered and unknown to Gambia.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands are the most common FOC states, representing 46.5% of all merchant ships by weight, but Gambia has become a player in recent years.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

There was still a weakness on the Under Thirteens, though, in goal: Eldin and Mafoday, the heavyset young man from Gambia with the blinding smile.

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