Eritrea

American  

[er-i-tree-uh, e-ree-tre-ah] / ˌɛr ɪˈtri ə, ˌɛ riˈtrɛ ɑ /

noun

1. a republic in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: Italian colony 1890–1941; province of Ethiopia 1962–93; independent since 1993. 47,076 sq. mi. (121,927 sq. km). Asmara.

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Eritrea British  

/ ˌɛrɪˈtreɪə /

noun

1. a small country in NE Africa, on the Red Sea: became an Italian colony in 1890; federated with Ethiopia (1952–93); an independence movement was engaged in war with the Ethiopian government from 1961 until independence was gained in 1993; consists of hot and arid coastal lowlands, rising to the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. Languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Afar, and others. Religions: Muslim and Christian. Currency: nakfa. Capital: Asmara. Pop: 6 233 682 (2013 est). Area: 117 400 sq km (45 300 sq miles)

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Eritrea Cultural  

1. Country in northeastern Africa bordered by Sudan to the north and west, Ethiopia to the south, Djibouti to the southeast, and the Red Sea to the east. Its capital is Asmara. After a long struggle, Eritrea declared its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A border conflict with Ethiopia flared between 1998 and 2000.

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Other Word Forms

• Eritrean adjective

Example Sentences

The spokesperson didn’t address specific questions related to an easing of U.S. sanctions on Eritrea and the department didn’t make Boulos available for an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

These officials said the Red Sea region is too strategically important for the U.S. not to try to reopen ties with Eritrea, despite Eritrea’s human rights record.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

If you look at the natural landscape in Eritrea, it’s the same exact atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, former war adversaries with 800,000 combined fighters, escalated in early 2026.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

World Relief and the International Rescue Committee opened offices in Clarkston to better serve the newcomers, and resettled still more refugees—from war-ravaged African countries including Liberia, Congo, Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John