oba

[ aw-buh ]

noun

a hereditary tribal ruler among various peoples in the Benin region of western Africa.

Origin of oba

First recorded in 1900–05, oba is from the Edo word ɔ́bá

Words Nearby oba

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use oba in a sentence

The “oba-Mao” T-shirts on souvenir stands around town were sellouts and his entourage snarled traffic for miles.
What the Chinese Heard | Carolynne Wheeler | November 18, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yoritomo, having been defeated in a battle against oba Kage-chika, was forced to retreat with six of his followers.
Myths & Legends of Japan | F. Hadland (Frederick Hadland) Davis
oba Kagetoki departed, none too pleased with the mission, for he had once been on friendly terms with Yoritomo.
Myths & Legends of Japan | F. Hadland (Frederick Hadland) Davis

British Dictionary definitions for oba

oba

/ (ˈɔːbɑː, -bə) /

noun

(in W Africa) a Yoruba chief or ruler

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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