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

There’s also an opportunity for deeper security partnerships with other nearby countries, including Mauritania, Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

On 7 December, mutinying soldiers claimed to have overthrown the Benin president.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Nicknamed "RoW" by supporters, he was born on June 20, 1976 in Lokossa in southwestern Benin, near the border with Togo.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Benin presidential election favourite Romuald Wadagni headed for victory Monday as his opponent conceded defeat even as votes were still being counted.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 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