Cyprus

American  

[sahy-pruhs] / ˈsaɪ prəs /

noun

1. an island republic in the Mediterranean, south of Turkey: formerly a British colony; independent since 1960. 3,572 sq. mi. (9,250 sq. km). Nicosia.

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Cyprus British  

/ ˈsaɪprəs /

noun

1. an island in the E Mediterranean: ceded to Britain by Turkey in 1878 and made a colony in 1925; became an independent republic in 1960 as a member of the Commonwealth; invaded by Turkey in 1974 following a Greek-supported military coup, leading to the partition of the island. In 1983 the Turkish-controlled northern sector declared itself to be an independent state as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but failed to receive international recognition. Attempts by the UN to broker a reunification agreement have failed. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. The UK maintains two enclaves as military bases (Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas), which are not included in Cyprus politically. Languages: Greek and Turkish. Religions: Greek Orthodox and Muslim. Currency: euro and Turkish lira. Capital: Nicosia. Pop (Greek): 838 897 (2011 est); (Turkish): 265 100 (2006 est). Area: 9251 sq km (3571 sq miles)

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Cyprus Cultural  

1. Island republic in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria. Nicosia is its capital and largest city.

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Discover More

People of Greek origin make up four-fifths of the population, and those of Turkish origin compose the other fifth. Conflict between the two led to a Turkish invasion that divided the island in the 1970s.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Cyprus
  adjective
• pro-Cyprus
  adjective

Example Sentences

Sitting next to me was a fan, no older than 18, who'd left Cyprus on his own for the first time, determined to see his heroine.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

At the EU summit in Cyprus this week, leaders were sufficiently spooked as to want to explore a once little-known clause of the EU treaty - the mutual defence article 42.7.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

"Spain is a reliable member within NATO" which is fulfilling all its obligations, Sanchez told reporters in Cyprus, where he was attending an EU summit.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Sanchez added in Cyprus that "we don't work on the basis of emails, we work off official documents and the position that the United States government has set out in this case".

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

This sea-birth took place near Cythera, from where she was wafted to Cyprus.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton