Delhi

American  

[del-ee] / ˈdɛl i /

noun

1. a union territory in N India. 574 sq. mi. (1,487 sq. km).

2. Also called Old Delhi.  a city in and the capital of this territory: former capital of the old Mogul Empire; administrative headquarters of British India 1912–29.

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Delhi British  

/ ˈdɛlɪ /

noun

1. the capital of India, in the N central part, on the Jumna river: consists of Old Delhi (a walled city reconstructed in 1639 on the site of former cities of Delhi, which date from the 15th century _bc ) and New Delhi to the south, chosen as the capital in 1912, replacing Kolkata (then called Calcutta); university (1922). Pop: 9 817 439 (2001)

2. an administrative division (National Capital Territory) of N India, formerly a Union Territory. Capital: Delhi. Area: 1483 sq km (572 sq miles). Pop: 13 782 976 (2001)

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Delhi Cultural  

1. City in north-central India. New Delhi, the nation's capital, is a division of the city.

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Example Sentences

Arju Singh, a 21-year-old master’s student in English in New Delhi, has been preparing for India’s civil-service exam while continuing her studies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

He later travelled to Delhi for official talks before heading to Mumbai, where he met business leaders to explore investment opportunities and expand bilateral trade.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Delhi, where temperatures in May hit 45C for several days running, is at particular risk of becoming "a dust bowl with extreme heat load," he said.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

Gates was stationed at the Oberoi, a hotel in New Delhi, known for its symmetrical staircase and a “Tree of Life” sculpture in its lobby.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

If we take the Little Delaware and avoid Delhi, we will be way off course.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George