Maldives

American  

[mawl-deevz, mal-dahyvz] / ˈmɔl divz, ˈmæl daɪvz /

noun

1. a republic in the Indian Ocean, SW of India, consisting of about 2000 islands: British protectorate 1887–1965. 115 sq. mi. (298 sq. km). Male.

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Maldives British  

/ ˈmɔːlˈdiːvz /

plural noun

1. Also known as: the Maldive Islands.  a republic occupying an archipelago of 1087 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka: came under British protection in 1887; became independent in 1965 and a republic in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth. The economy and infrastructure were severely damaged in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Official language: Divehi. Official religion: (Sunni) Muslim. Currency: rufiyaa. Capital: Malé. Pop: 393 988 (2013 est). Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Maldivian
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Maldives

The WSJ’s Noemie Bisserbe and Thomas Grove write that the Maldives has become a pipeline for hundreds of millions of dollars in Western goods heading to Moscow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Customs data from the Maldives shows a paltry amount of exports to Russia between 2022 and 2025—about $2,300 of tuna and $25 in leaflets and brochures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The Maldives Airports Company made a record profit in 2024, becoming the most profitable state-owned company in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Unofficially dubbed "the Asian Spring", the expanding influence of these movements has spread from Iran, Mongolia and the Maldives to the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Because Mom is eating sushi in the Maldives.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller