Malawi

American  

[muh-lah-wee] / məˈlɑ wi /

noun

1. Formerly Nyasaland.  a republic in southeastern Africa, on the western and southern shores of Lake Malawi: formerly a British protectorate and part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; gained independence July 6, 1964; a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 49,177 sq. mi. (127,368 sq. km). Lilongwe.

2. Formerly Nyasa,.  Formerly Nyassa.  Lake Malawi, a lake in southeastern Africa, between Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. About 11,000 sq. mi. (28,500 sq. km).

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Malawi British  

/ məˈlɑːwɪ /

noun

1. Former name: Nyasaland.  a republic in E central Africa: established as a British protectorate in 1891; became independent in 1964 and a republic, within the Commonwealth, in 1966; lies along the Great Rift Valley, with Lake Nyasa (Malawi) along the E border, the Nyika Plateau in the northwest, and the Shire (or Shiré) Highlands in the southeast. Official language: Chichewa; English and various other Bantu languages are also widely spoken. Religion: Christian majority, Muslim, and animist minorities. Currency: kwacha. Capital: Lilongwe. Pop: 16 777 547 (2013 est). Area: 118 484 sq km (45 747 sq miles)

2. the Malawi name for (Lake) Nyasa

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Malawi Cultural  

1. Republic in southeast Africa, bordered by Tanzania to the north, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. It became independent in 1964.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Malawian
  adjective

Example Sentences

I’ve seen community health workers in action in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Malawi, among many others, as well as in Congo’s Ituri province, not far from the town where this current outbreak occurred.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

Some have opted to return home - and this weekend another group of around 140 people boarded buses to Malawi and Mozambique.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Several African countries -- including Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe -- have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise caution.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Access to quality healthcare is limited in Malawi, and many turn to traditional healers and witch doctors as the first port of call for any medical or mental health problem.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Livingstone helped end slavery, opened Malawi to trade, and built good schools and missions.

From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba