Djibouti

American  

[ji-boo-tee] / dʒɪˈbu ti /

Or Jibuti

noun

1. Formerly French Somaliland, French Territory of the Afars and Issas. a republic in eastern Africa, on the Gulf of Aden: a former overseas territory of France; gained independence 1977. 8,492 sq. mi. (21,994 sq. km). Djibouti.

2. a seaport in and the capital of this republic, in the southeastern part.

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Djibouti British  

/ dʒɪˈbuːtɪ /

noun

1. Former name (until 1977): (Territory of the) Afars and the Issas. a republic in E Africa, on the Gulf of Aden: a French overseas territory (1946–77); became independent in 1977; mainly desert. Official languages: Arabic and French. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: Djibouti franc. Capital: Djibouti. Pop: 792 198 (2013 est). Area: 23 200 sq km (8950 sq miles)

2. the capital of Djibouti, a port on the Gulf of Aden: an outlet for Ethiopian goods. Pop: 523 000 (2005 est)

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Other Word Forms

• Djiboutian
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Djibouti

More than 2,000 people had fled across the Bab al-Mandab to reach Djibouti in Africa, the International Organization for Migration said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

Sandwiched between Yemen and Djibouti, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is an important conduit for Middle Eastern oil.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

The WMO said last month that there was a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall during the critical June-September rainy season in South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, much of Eritrea, Sudan and western and coastal Kenya.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

Guelleh's campaign focused on the fact that he had maintained stability in Djibouti at a time when other regional states, and the Middle East, had been hit by conflict.

From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2026

One, from Djibouti, said little, lying and staring at the ceiling as though retracing the journey of how he had ended up at a holding facility in Manchester Airport.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie