Kyiv

[ kee-eev, keev, Ukrainian, kyi-yif ]

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Ukraine, on the Dnieper River.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kyiv¹

First recorded in 1805–10 with spelling Kiev; the spelling Kyiv was first recorded in 1950–55; Kiev from Russian Kíev, Kyiv from Ukrainian Kýiv, both from Old East Slavic Kyevŭ; of uncertain origin. Traditional (folk) etymology derives the name from Kyi, one of the legendary founders of the city; another etymology suggests that the name of the city was Sarmatian (Iranian) Kiovi Kii “heights, mountains,” and that its inhabitants, a Sarmatian tribe, were called Kivi “mountaineers”

Example Sentences

Artemenko, the lobbyist who had helped organize Giuliani’s trip to Kyiv in 2019, had not yet heard the news when he arrived.

From TIme

When Kuchma ascended to the presidency, he brought the younger Derkach with him to Kyiv, appointing him to senior posts in his administration, including chief adviser on foreign economic relations, and helping him to win a seat in parliament in 1998.

From TIme

Russia has been pulling back tens of thousands of troops from its border with Ukraine following a show of strength that rattled nerves from Kyiv to Washington.

From Time

From Kyiv to Washington, diplomats, intelligence officials and military experts are straining to discern the meaning of Russia’s troop movements and escalating rhetoric.

From Time

Instead, the Center’s newsroom relocated to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and News Front was established in its place.

From Time

Dozens of bodies—some moving, others still—are seen lying around the streets of Kyiv.

From The Daily Beast

Every week, posts about Russian military aircrafts landing in Kyiv appear in Facebook.

From The Daily Beast