Hong Kong

American  

[hong kong] / ˈhɒŋ ˈkɒŋ /

Or Hongkong

noun

1. a special administrative region of China, formerly a British colony, comprising Hong Kong Island (29 sq. mi.; 75 sq. km), the southern part of Kowloon peninsula, nearby islands, and the New Territories in adjacent mainland southeast China: reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. 427 sq. mi. (1,106 sq. km).

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Hong Kong British  

/ ˌhɒŋ ˈkɒŋ /

noun

1. a Special Administrative Region of China, in the south of the country, with some autonomy; formerly a British Crown Colony: consists of Hong Kong Island, leased by China to Britain from 1842 until 1997, Kowloon Peninsula, Stonecutters Island, the New Territories (mainland), leased by China in 1898 for a 99-year period, and over 230 small islands; important entrepôt trade and manufacturing centre, esp for textiles and other consumer goods; university (1912). It retains its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar. Administrative centre: Victoria. Pop: 7 182 724 (2013 est). Area: 1046 sq km (404 sq miles)

2. an island in Hong Kong region, south of Kowloon Peninsula: contains the capital, Victoria. Pop: 1 337 800 (2001). Area: 75 sq km (29 sq miles)

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Hong Kong Cultural  

1. Now a special administrative region of China; formerly a British colony, located on the south coast of China on the South China Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean.

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Discover More

One of the world's leading commercial centers, Hong Kong is home to many international corporate offices and a world-famous tailoring industry. China has given assurances that it will maintain Hong Kong's capitalistic (see capitalism) and democratic (see democracy) institutions.

China ceded the island of Hong Kong to Britain in the nineteenth century. Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, when Britain's lease expired.

Other Word Forms

• Hong Konger noun
• Hongkongite noun

Etymology

Origin of Hong Kong

First recorded in 1840–45; possibly from Chinese (Guangdong dialect) Hēung Góng “Fragrant Harbor, Incense Harbor” (the two syllables do not rhyme in Guangdong dialect)

Example Sentences

As of November 2025, the U.S. had imposed Iran-related sanctions on at least 366 entities in mainland China or Hong Kong, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

The pair tell me the international success of the show - which was broadcast in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and South Africa - led to them being recognised all over the world.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Last year, the Treasury Department designated three brothers, Fazlolah, Mansour and Nasser Zarringhalam, of using their network to move billions of dollars in payments for oil through front companies in Dubai and Hong Kong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei all rose at least one percent, while Singapore and Manila were also well up, though Sydney slipped.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The year before, he and his wife and Monique had gone on a trip to Hong Kong, which struck him, mostly, as a pincushion of gleaming skyscrapers.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng