Nauru

American  

[nah-oo-roo] / nɑˈu ru /

noun

1. Republic of Nauru, an island republic in the Pacific, near the equator, west of Kiribati: administered by Australia before 1968. 8¼ sq. mi. (21 sq. km).

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Nauru British  

/ nɑːˈuːruː /

noun

1. Former name: Pleasant Island.  an island republic in the SW Pacific, west of Kiribati: administered jointly by Australia, New Zealand, and Britain as a UN trust territory before becoming independent in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth (formerly a special member not represented at all meetings, until 1999). The economy is based on export of phosphates. Languages: Nauruan (a Malayo-Polynesian language) and English. Religion: Christian. Currency: Australian dollar. Capital: Yaren. Pop: 9 434 (2013 est). Area: 2130 hectares (5263 acres)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Nauruan
  noun

Example Sentences

Nauru would change its name to "Naoero" to "more faithfully honour our nation's heritage, our language, and our identity", President David Adeang said in a statement Tuesday evening.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

The Republic of Nauru, with one of the world’s smallest economies, has signed its own deal with the Metals Company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

In an interview with a Nauru government official that was swiftly deleted from Facebook, Adeang said he had prepared "safety protocols to protect" the migrants and the local population.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Burke has defended the arrangement, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he has inspected the accommodation and health facilities on Nauru and "the standard there is good".

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Nauru:   Revenues of this tiny island have come from exports of   phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted within five to   ten years.

From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency