Netherlands

[neth-er-luhndz]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• Netherlander noun
• Netherlandian adjective

Example Sentences

The Netherlands has said it will return a stolen 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt.

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In September, the Netherlands used a Cold War era law to take over the company after citing "serious governance shortcomings" and to prevent the chips from becoming unavailable in an emergency.

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The leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Chile, Cape Verde and Liberia will attend, their governments have confirmed to AFP.

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One of the most eye-catching has been City and Netherlands defender Kerstin Casperij becoming the face of dating app Tinder, alongside her partner Ruth.

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"The suitable climate for rice is moving more northwards" in Europe, she said, pointing to successful initiatives in the Netherlands and Germany.

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