Latvia
Americannoun
noun
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Nationalist sentiments brewing since the mid-nineteenth century erupted at the time of the Russian Revolution; after the collapse of Russia and Germany in World War I, Latvia was able to proclaim its independence. After twenty years of political instability, however, Latvia was forcibly integrated into the Soviet Union in 1940, along with Estonia and Lithuania. The collapse of the Soviet Union enabled Latvians to reassert their national identity, and they declared their country independent in August 1991.
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.
Only three countries: Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, spent more than 3.5% of their GDP on defence in 2025, although Estonia and Norway were close.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
Vinted expanded into Latvia, Estonia, and Slovenia in 2025, also adding sports and collectible goods to attract more customers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Spending relative to GDP reflects the societal sacrifices to strengthen defense, and last year Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark and Norway spent a larger share than the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
Diesel accounted for 86 percent of transport fuel sales in Latvia in 2024, 73 percent in France and 66 percent in Germany, according to FuelsEurope, a trade body which represents the refining industry.
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
“They’ve deported people from Estonia and Latvia, too.”
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
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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.