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Chennai

American  
[chen-ahi] / ˈtʃɛn ɑɪ /

noun

  1. a seaport in and the capital of Tamil Nadu state, in SE India, on the Bay of Bengal.


Chennai British  
/ tʃɪˈnaɪ /

noun

  1. Former name: Madras.  a port in SE India, capital of Tamil Nadu, on the Bay of Bengal: founded in 1639 by the English East India Company as Fort St George ; traditional burial place of St Thomas; university (1857). Pop: 4 216 268 (2001)

"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

Example Sentences

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The system will have dual landings in India – at Machilipatnam, providing a shorter subsea route to Hyderabad, and at a new landing location in South Chennai, adding diversity to existing routes.

From BBC Sep. 3, 2026

Joginder Singh, a 45-year-old businessman volunteering at the camp, said supporters from Mumbai, Chennai and Punjab had been placing delivery orders directly to the protest site.

From Barron's Jul. 23, 2026

"Who else will give you 250 rupees an hour just for doing housework?" said Sriramyachandra from her kitchen in Chennai in southern India's Tamil Nadu state.

From Barron's Jun. 11, 2026

After submitting countless applications, the 22-year-old found work as an insurance-claims adjuster in Chennai.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 7, 2026

When Viju’s father was in Chennai, Neel could remember watching their friend’s hair become straw-colored from hunger.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

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