Lebanon
Americannoun
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a republic at the E end of the Mediterranean, N of Israel. 3,927 sq. mi. (10,170 sq. km). Beirut.
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a city in SE Pennsylvania.
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a city in N central Tennessee.
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a town in central Indiana.
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a town in W New Hampshire.
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a town in W Oregon.
noun
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Lebanon was established in 1920 from remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Its mixed Christian and Muslim population generally lived peacefully under a weak central government until the 1970s. Israel invaded in 1978 to challenge the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) influence in Lebanon and to stop PLO raids on Israel. During the 1980s Lebanon became the scene of intense fighting between PLO, Syrian, and Israeli forces, as well as indigenous Christian and Muslim factions. Terrorist bombings and the taking of foreign nationals (including American citizens) as hostages became common events. By 1992, Syria had emerged as the dominant influence in Lebanon. Democratic elections were held in the mid-1990s.
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.
Yet an issue far removed from the conflict’s epicenter may end up being the biggest obstacle to any treaty: Lebanon.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Iran has insisted any deal to end the war must include a truce in Lebanon, which was drawn into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah militants within its borders fired rockets at Israel on March 2.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Though Iran complained about Israel’s earlier attacks in southern Lebanon, the strikes did not spur a reaction.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
But in recent weeks, the US has been pressing Israel to scale back its campaign to allow room for a wider deal with Iran, which has demanded that it also cover the conflict in Lebanon.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
He had won races in Syria, Lebanon, and Italy.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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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.