Nauru

[ nah-oo-roo ]

/ nɑˈu ru /

noun

Republic of, an island republic in the Pacific, near the equator, W of the Gilbert Islands: administered by Australia before 1968. 8¼ sq. mi. (21 sq. km).

Formerly Pleasant Island.

Related formsNa·u·ru·an, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nauru

While on Nauru Island labour was scarce, on Angaur several plants had to be finished before work could proceed to the full extent.
Germany's Vanishing Colonies|Gordon Le Sueur
"Bless you, Norah and dad hadn't tasted butter for nearly three years before they came on board the Nauru," said Jim.
Back To Billabong|Mary Grant Bruce
No one knew quite when the Nauru would berth; it was wrapped in mystery, like all movements of troopships.
Back To Billabong|Mary Grant Bruce
A jolly good ship, too, Tommy; one of the big Australian liners—the Nauru.
Back To Billabong|Mary Grant Bruce

Nauru is of utmost importance to them because they are extensive agricultural countries.
The Pacific Triangle|Sydney Greenbie

British Dictionary definitions for nauru

Nauru

/ (nɑːˈuːruː) /

noun

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)Former name: Pleasant Island

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

Word Origin and History for nauru

Nauru

of unknown origin; formerly known as Pleasant Island (1798). Related: Nauruan (1921).