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

A local blogger familiar with the area told the BBC that many residents had fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighbouring states or across the border in Benin.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Under his leadership, Benin, traditionally a cotton producer, is entering the textile industry.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

In a New York court filing, judges Kimberly Prost of Canada, Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda and Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin alleged the sanctions aimed to "exert extra-judicial pressure."

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

To prepare for the role, he studied Benin influencers, music and dialect details many viewers praised for their realism.

From BBC ● May 10, 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