Malaya

American  

[muh-ley-uh] / məˈleɪ ə /

noun

1. Malay Peninsula.

2. Formerly Malayan Union.  Formerly Malay States,.  Federation of Malaya. a former federation of 11 states in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula: a British protectorate 1948–57; now forms part of Malaysia. 50,690 sq. mi. (131,287 sq. km). Kuala Lumpur.

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Malaya British  

/ məˈleɪə /

noun

1. part of Malaysia, in the S Malay Peninsula, constituting Peninsular Malaysia: consists of the former Federated Malay States, the former Unfederated Malay States, and the former Straits Settlements. Capital: Kuala Lumpur. Pop: 17 144 322 (2000). Area: 131 587 sq km (50 806 sq miles)

2. a federation of the nine Malay States of the Malay Peninsula and two of the Straits Settlements (Malacca and Penang): formed in 1948: became part of the British Commonwealth in 1957 and joined Malaysia in 1963

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Example Sentences

Malaya Majam-Finch is 8-2 with a 2.20 ERA and freshman Kaylee Mathews is 14-1 with a 1.83 ERA.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

In 1926 Mr. Massie’s father, then 19, left his family’s farm in Aberdeenshire for British Malaya.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Now her best friend, 10-year-old Malaya Webster, is Black.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Sir Frank was a highly-decorated officer who won the Military Cross twice for his service in Kenya and Malaya and was awarded a CBE for gallantry during his time in Northern Ireland.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024

Malaya stepped forward, with the whole village behind her.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly