Kyiv
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of Kyiv
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The people of Kyiv and beyond are now bracing themselves for Russia's response.
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026
Poland has been one of Ukraine's main allies during the war, taking in hundreds of thousands of refugees and serving as a logistics hub for Western aid to Kyiv.
From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026
A source close to Ukraine’s F-16 fighter program tells us that Ukrainian pilots have downed more than 2,000 Russian cruise missiles and drones, and Kyiv has also pioneered the use of low-cost drone interceptors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
She had moved from the outskirts of Kyiv, hoping to be better protected in the city centre, next to the holy site.
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Kyiv has not officially responded to the criticism from Poland, although the foreign ministry has stressed it had no intention to cause offence.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
