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

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

Examples from the Web for oba

Historical Examples of oba

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

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