Malaya

[ muh-ley-uh ]

noun
  1. Fed·er·a·tion of Ma·lay·a. a former federation of 11 states in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula: a British protectorate 1948–57; now forms part of Malaysia. 50,690 sq. mi. (131,287 sq. km). Capital: Kuala Lumpur.: Formerly Ma·lay States, Ma·lay·an Un·ion .See also Malaysia (def. 1).

Words Nearby Malaya

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Malaya in a sentence

  • Some are disposed to trace it to the Sanskrit word Malaya, while others prefer to regard it as a purely native word.

    A Manual of the Malay language | William Edward Maxwell
  • Malaya is mentioned in the Puranas as a mountain in which the Godavari and other rivers take their rise.

    A Manual of the Malay language | William Edward Maxwell
  • Besides signifying a range of mountains, Malaya has the secondary meaning of a garden.

    A Manual of the Malay language | William Edward Maxwell

British Dictionary definitions for Malaya

Malaya

/ (məˈleɪə) /


noun
  1. States of the Federation of Malaya part of Malaysia, in the S Malay Peninsula, constituting Peninsular Malaysia: consists of the former Federated Malay States, the former Unfederated Malay States, and the former Straits Settlements. Capital: Kuala Lumpur. Pop: 17 144 322 (2000). Area: 131 587 sq km (50 806 sq miles)

  2. Federation of Malaya a federation of the nine Malay States of the Malay Peninsula and two of the Straits Settlements (Malacca and Penang): formed in 1948: became part of the British Commonwealth in 1957 and joined Malaysia in 1963

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012