Abu Dhabi

American  

[ah-boo dah-bee] / ˈɑ bu ˈdɑ bi /

noun

1. a sheikdom in the N United Arab Emirates, on the S coast of the Persian Gulf.

2. the capital of this sheikdom.

3. the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

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Abu Dhabi British  

/ ˈæbuː ˈdɑːbɪ /

noun

1. a sheikhdom (emirate) of SE Arabia, on the S coast of the Persian Gulf: the chief sheikhdom and capital of the United Arab Emirates, consisting principally of the port of Abu Dhabi and a desert hinterland; contains major oilfields. Pop: 476 000 (2005 est). Area: 67 350 sq km (25 998 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

Founded in Abu Dhabi in 1976, it owns stakes in the Deutsche Bank Center, Marriott Edition hotels in New York, Miami and London, as well as the maker of Häagen-Dazs ice cream in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

A fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted attack forced the suspension of operations at the Habshan gas complex in Abu Dhabi, the government media office said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But the threat of missile strikes has disrupted travel to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Two years after the last ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi failed to make meaningful progress on key issues like fisheries and agriculture, member states face even stauncher challenges this time.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

We were guests of the prince of Abu Dhabi for three hours, then homeless.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri