Basra

[ buhs-ruh, bahs-rah ]

/ ˈbʌs rə, ˈbɑs rɑ /

noun

a port in SE Iraq, N of the Persian Gulf.

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Also Busra, Busrah.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for basra

During his first day in Iraq, Mumford arrived at a hospital outside of Basra where he tried to pass as a photojournalist.
Steve Mumford: The Artist Who Went to War|Justin Jones|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cpl. Rory MacKenzie, 31, who joined the British army 11 years ago, lost a leg during a night patrol in Basra, southern Iraq.
Bryan Adams’s Unlikely, Compelling Portrait Photography Book ‘Wounded’|Nico Hines|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Afghanistan, Hayee broke off from Basra and, following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, set up camp at a madrassah in Karachi.
Qari Abdul Hayee Arrested in Daniel Pearl Murder Investigation|Jahanzeb Aslam|March 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
These two rivers come together today in southern Iraq, just north of Basra.
The Truth About Genesis|Bruce Feiler|September 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The city of Basra is about three miles away, up a creek, but on the river there is a port and native town called Ashar.
Letters from Mesopotamia|Robert Palmer
There were also the two celebrated schools of grammarians at Basra and Kufa, soon to merge in the school of Bagdad.
The Literature of Ecstasy|Albert Mordell
Rice was an occasional ration in Basra, and a daily ration higher up, where it took the place of potatoes.
In Mesopotamia|Martin Swayne
Victory would have meant the evacuation of Basra, if not of Mesopotamia.
In Mesopotamia|Martin Swayne
We are bound to control the bit from Basra to the sea to protect existing interests.
Letters from Mesopotamia|Robert Palmer

British Dictionary definitions for basra

Basra

Basrah Busra or Busrah (ˈbʌsrə)

/ (ˈbæzrə) /

noun

a port in SE Iraq, on the Shatt-al-Arab. Pop: 1 187 000 (2005 est)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012