Austria

[aw-stree-uh]

noun

1. a republic in central Europe. 32,381 sq. mi. (83,865 sq. km). Vienna.

Austria

/ ˈɒstrɪə /

noun

1. German name: Österreich. a republic in central Europe: ruled by the Hapsburgs from 1282 to 1918; formed a dual monarchy with Hungary in 1867 and became a republic in 1919; a member of the European Union; contains part of the Alps, the Danube basin in the east, and extensive forests. Official language: German. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: euro. Capital: Vienna. Pop: 8 221 646 (2013 est). Area: 83 849 sq km (32 374 sq miles)

Austria

1. Mountainous republic in central Europe, bordered by Germany and the former Czechoslovakia to the north, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Its capital and largest city is Vienna.

The picturesque Tyrol region, in the western part of the country, is a favorite year-round tourist spot.

Under the Hapsburg dynasty (1278–1918), Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and became a leading player in European politics.

Austria was occupied by Nazi forces in 1938 and annexed by Adolf Hitler to Germany. It was reestablished as a republic in 1945 but remained occupied by four Allied powers until it declared neutrality in 1955.

After losing control of the German portions of the Holy Roman Empire in the nineteenth century, Austria joined with Hungary to create the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867–1918). Allied with Germany, Bulgaria, and Turkey in World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was devastated by the war.

Other Word Forms

• Austrian adjective
• anti-Austria adjective
• anti-Austrian adjective
• pro-Austrian adjective
• pseudo-Austrian adjective
• trans-Austrian adjective
• un-Austrian adjective

Example Sentences

Belgium thumped Liechtenstein 7-0 to reach next year's tournament as Switzerland and Austria ground out draws to secure their places in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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Born in Vienna to one of Austria’s wealthiest families, Wittgenstein began his academic studies in mechanical engineering and started a Ph.D. in aeronautics but became captivated by philosophy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a joint statement, Austria's Minister for Women Eva-Maria Holzleitner and Justice Minister Anna Sporrer said the "alleged double murder... represents the sudden and brutal end of two human lives and exposes a cruel system".

Read more on BBC

Erling has won the Treble with City, another title too and trophies in Austria and Germany.

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At the podium, she led the 50-strong orchestra through works by Austria's Franz Schubert, Finland's Jean Sibelius and the Soviet-Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian.

Read more on Barron's