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Netherlands

American  
[neth-er-luhndz] / ˈnɛð ər ləndz /

noun

  1. (used with a singular or plural verb) the, a kingdom in W Europe, bordering on the North Sea, Germany, and Belgium. 13,433 sq. mi. (34,790 sq. km). Capitals: Amsterdam and The Hague.


Netherlands British  
/ ˈnɛðələndz /

noun

  1. Also called: Holland.  Dutch name: Nederland.  a kingdom in NW Europe, on the North Sea: declared independence from Spain in 1581 as the United Provinces; became a major maritime and commercial power in the 17th century, gaining many overseas possessions; formed the Benelux customs union with Belgium and Luxembourg in 1948 and was a founder member of the Common Market, now the European Union. It is mostly flat and low-lying, with about 40 per cent of the land being below sea level, much of it on polders protected by dykes. Official language: Dutch. Religion: Christian majority, Protestant and Roman Catholic, large nonreligious minority. Currency: euro. Capital: Amsterdam, with the seat of government at The Hague. Pop: 16 805 037 (2013 est). Area: 41 526 sq km (16 033 sq miles)

  2. the kingdom of the Netherlands together with the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium, esp as ruled by Spain and Austria before 1581; the Low Countries

"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

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City had opened talks with Liverpool over a deal for the Netherlands international, with the Reds willing to sell Gakpo, providing they could sign a replacement.

From BBC Aug. 31, 2026

City had opened talks with Liverpool over a deal for the Netherlands international, with the Reds willing to sell Gakpo provided they could sign a replacement.

From BBC Aug. 31, 2026

The royal family of the Netherlands recalled "unforgettable" journeys with King Harald around Oslo and the rest of Norway.

From Barron's Aug. 28, 2026

Years of sanctions imposed on Libya by the United Nations led to the two men being handed over to stand trial at a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands.

From BBC Aug. 26, 2026

Standing next to Laurie and first-place winner Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands during the medal ceremony, I was grinning every bit as hard as if I’d just won gold.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

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