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

The British naval support ship RFA Lyme Bay - which has been equipped with mine-hunting kit - was seen on ship-tracking yesterday off RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

He has made the bulk of his professional appearances for AEL Limassol in Cyprus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

The two-day gathering that opens in Cyprus on Wednesday will allow ministers to set out their countries' stalls with more freedom than a formal summit.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

The EES is used by EU countries -- with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus -- and other nations that are part of the Schengen free movement area, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

But Christians did control fertile islands in the Mediterranean, such as Sicily, Cyprus, and Rhodes.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson