Estonia

American  

[e-stoh-nee-uh, e-stohn-yuh] / ɛˈstoʊ ni ə, ɛˈstoʊn yə /

Also Esthonia

noun

1. a republic in N Europe, on the Baltic, S of the Gulf of Finland: an independent republic 1918–40; annexed by the Soviet Union 1940; regained independence 1991. 17,413 sq. mi. (45,100 sq. km). Tallinn.

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Estonia British  

/ ɛˈstəʊnɪə, ɛˈstəʊnɪə, ɛˈsθəʊ- /

noun

1. a republic in NE Europe, on the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic: low-lying with many lakes and forests, it includes numerous islands in the Baltic Sea. It was under Scandinavian and Teutonic rule from the 13th century to 1721, when it passed to Russia: it was an independent republic from 1920 to 1940, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union; became independent in 1991 and joined the EU in 2004. Official language: Estonian. Religion: believers are mostly Christian. Currency: kroon. Capital: Tallinn. Pop: 1 266 375 (2013 est). Area: 45 227 sq km (17 462 sq miles)

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Estonia Cultural  

1. Republic on the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, and, separated by the Gulf of Finland, Finland to the north. Estonia also includes several hundred small islands in the Baltic. Its capital and largest city is Tallinn.

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Discover More

Although more closely related by race, language, culture, and history to Scandinavia and Germany than to Russia, after 1721 Estonia was subject to Russian rule. The country briefly achieved independence in the years between World War I and World War II. It resisted integration with the Soviet Union but was forcibly annexed in 1940. In 1991, Estonia was one of the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence as the communist system and the Soviet Union collapsed.

Example Sentences

Participating in Eurovision has helped former Soviet republics such as Estonia and Ukraine cultivate their images as part of Europe, he added.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Barreiro Leon says it is no coincidence that former Soviet bloc countries such Estonia and Latvia won in the early 2000s before joining the EU.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Several Russian and Ukrainian drones have crashed in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Though the study was released a few days before news reports of Hegseth’s phone call to Estonia, it helps explain the secretary’s panic.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

Some have escaped from countries as far away as Estonia.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys