Kyiv

American  

[kee-eev, keev, kyi-yif] / ˈki iv, kiv, ˈkjɪ jɪf /

noun

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

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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

See Examples For:

Kyiv

Appeared in the July 28, 2026, print edition as 'As Kyiv Gains, Trump Warms to Zelensky'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

A delegation from US manufacturer Raytheon visited Kyiv last week and Zelensky said the defence firm had expressed "readiness to take our partnership to an even higher level".

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

"Targeting that route allows Kyiv to put further pressure on Russia's supply networks beyond the traditional battlefield," she said.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Targeting the Caspian, more than 430 miles from Ukraine’s nearest border, gives Kyiv an opportunity to disrupt Moscow’s links with Tehran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

London also announced it will share with Kyiv the intellectual property behind a new battle-tested electronic jamming capability it has dubbed "Stone Cloak".

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026