Benin

American  

[be-neen] / bɛˌnin /

noun

1. Formerly Dahomey. a republic in W Africa: formerly part of French West Africa; gained independence in 1960. 44,290 sq. mi. (114,711 sq. km). Porto Novo.

2. Bight of, a bay in N Gulf of Guinea in W Africa.

3. a former native kingdom in W Africa: now incorporated into Nigeria.

4. a river in S Nigeria, flowing into the Bight of Benin.

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Benin British  

/ bɛˈniːn /

noun

1. Former name (until 1975): Dahomey. a republic in W Africa, on the Bight of Benin , a section of the Gulf of Guinea: in the early 19th century a powerful kingdom, famed for its women warriors; became a French colony in 1893, gaining independence in 1960. It consists chiefly of coastal lagoons and swamps in the south, a fertile plain and marshes in the centre, and the Atakora Mountains in the northwest. Official language: French. Religion: animist majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Porto Novo (the government is based in Cotonou). Pop: 9 877 292 (2013 est). Area: 112 622 sq km (43 474 sq miles)

2. a former kingdom of W Africa, powerful from the 14th to the 17th centuries: now a province of S Nigeria: noted for its bronzes

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Benin

"I'm going to tell Messi, 'You are a god'," Benin defender Mohamed Tijani informed the Argentine press of the country's legendary No 10.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

In reality, the organisation was a shambles, a member of the Benin delegation told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Argentina great Lionel Messi took the adulation of the crowd in Buenos Aires as his glittering international career ended with a goal against Benin on an emotional night.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

A coral reef off the coast of Benin that was thought to be dead for decades has been found alive and apparently healthy.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

My uncle came to Benin Home earlier than usual to get me.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

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