Biafra
Americannoun
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a former secessionist state (1967–70) in SE Nigeria, in W Africa. Enugu.
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Bight of, a wide bay in the E part of the Gulf of Guinea, off the W coast of Africa.
noun
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a region of E Nigeria, formerly a local government region: seceded as an independent republic (1967–70) during the Civil War, but defeated by Nigerian government forces
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former name (until 1975) of (the Bight of) Bonny
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the conflict, the Nigerian government also blocked food from entering Biafra - cutting the region's access to seaports, airfields and foreign supplies.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Biafra was the name of a short-lived breakaway state that declared independence in 1967, sparking a brutal civil war that lasted until 1970.
From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025
One surprise guest on the Outlaw Country Cruise was Jello Biafra, who released the album “Prairie Home Invasion” with Mojo Nixon in 1994.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025
Conflict broke out after an Igbo general declared the breakaway state of Biafra.
From BBC • Sep. 11, 2023
Even the slightest hint of criticism of Biafra made him uncomfortable.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
