oba
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of oba
First recorded in 1900–05, oba is from the Edo word ɔ́bá
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both the Nigerian government and the oba of Benin, whose family ruled the historical Kingdom of Benin from which they were looted, claimed that they owned the items.
From New York Times ● Dec. 20, 2022
This image of the oba, or king, of Benin dominates the space, through which thousands of visitors pass every week, and draws the eye.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2022
It is said to be a carving of the face of the mother of an oba from the first half of the 16th Century.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2021
The British were looking for excuses to attack Benin, Nigerian historians say, because the oba had too much power.
From New York Times ● Jun. 23, 2021
One catches such greetings and whisperings as "Du bist oba heut' fesch g'scholnt" and "Ko do net so lang umananderbandln."
From Europe After 8:15 by Benton, Thomas H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
