a seaport in and the economic capital of the Republic of Yemen, in the southern part: formerly the center of a British colony.
Also called State of Aden. Colony of Aden, a former British colony on the Gulf of Aden and a member of the former Federation of South Arabia. 75 sq. mi. (194 sq. km).
Protectorate of Aden, former name, until 1962, of the former Protectorate of South Arabia.
Gulf of Aden, an arm of the Arabian Sea between Arabia and the eastern tip of Africa.
the main port and commercial capital of Yemen, on the N coast of the Gulf of Aden , an arm of the Indian Ocean at the entrance to the Red Sea: capital of South Yemen until 1990: formerly an important port of call on shipping routes to the East. Pop: 584 000 (2005 est)
a former British colony and protectorate on the S coast of the Arabian Peninsula: became part of South Yemen in 1967, now part of Yemen. Area: 195 sq km (75 sq miles)
What does aden- mean? Aden- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “gland.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy. Aden- comes from the Greek adḗn, meaning "gland." This Greek root is ultimately the source of adenoids, the enlarged masses of lymphoid tissue in the upper pharynx, often obstructing breathing through the nasal passages. Aden- is a variant of adeno-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use adeno- article.
Its strategic location and excellent harbor have made Aden an important trading center of southern Arabia since ancient times, as well as a coveted conquest.
First recorded in 1640–60; from Arabic ʿAdin, ʿAdan, perhaps ultimately from Akkadian edin(n)u “plain,” from Sumerian eden “plain, steppe”; see Eden 1 ( def. )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Monday, the court said health minister Aden Duale was held in contempt for failing to respond to the order.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
Sandwiched between Yemen and Djibouti, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is an important conduit for Middle Eastern oil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
Artan, Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025, was greeted Wednesday at Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia by government officials and hundreds of well-wishers.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Sources said it was overrun by pirates in the Gulf of Aden, near the port of Qana.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
Mum and I went back together on a boat, through the Suez Canal, calling at Aden and Barcelona.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
