Zanzibar

American  

[zan-zuh-bahr, zan-zuh-bahr] / ˈzæn zəˌbɑr, ˌzæn zəˈbɑr /

noun

1. an island off the E coast of Africa: with Pemba and adjacent small islands it formerly comprised a sultanate under British protection; became independent in 1963; now part of Tanzania. 640 sq. mi. (1,658 sq. km).

2. a seaport on W Zanzibar, Tanzania.

---

Zanzibar British  

/ ˌzænzɪˈbɑː /

noun

1. an island in the Indian Ocean, off the E coast of Africa: settled by Persians and Arabs from the 7th century onwards; became a flourishing trading centre for slaves, ivory, and cloves; made a British protectorate in 1890, becoming independent within the Commonwealth in 1963 and a republic in 1964; joined with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Pop: 622 459 (2002)

---

Other Word Forms

• Zanzibari
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Zanzibar

Chemaf’s founder, Shiraz Virji, son of a Zanzibar spice merchant, once hired dozens of Gurkhas, Nepalese soldiers with a reputation for fierceness, to guard one of the company’s mines against incursions by informal miners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

A superb solo goal from 20-year-old striker Langelihle Phili gave the visitors a 52nd-minute lead in the matchday two clash in Zanzibar City.

From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025

In Tanzania's semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar - which elects its own government and leader - CCM's Hussein Mwinyi, who is the incumbent president, won with nearly 80% of the vote.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025

Tanzania's internet was blocked for a third day Friday as reports of further election protests surfaced and the opposition rejected the results on the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2025

“Why, the Zanzibar Savannah, of course,” Von Marsh said, blinking.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older