Ossetia

American  

[o-see-shuh, uh-sye-tyi-yuh] / ɒˈsi ʃə, ʌˈsyɛ tyɪ yə /

noun

1. a region in Caucasia: divided between North Ossetia of the Russian Federation and the South Ossetian Autonomous Region of the Georgian Republic.

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Ossetia British  

/ ɒˈsɛtjə, ɒˈsiːtjə /

noun

1. a region of central Asia, in the Caucasus: consists administratively of the North Ossetian Republic in Russia and South Ossetia (formerly an Autonomous Region) in Georgia

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Example Sentences

He fought in Chechnya and in a brief war in North Ossetia in the 1990s, and later took part in Russia’s military intervention in Syria.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Moscow recognises the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent, while most of the world recognises them as Georgian territory.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

Authorities in the nearby Russian regions of Ingushetia and North Ossetia reported drone strikes on Wednesday morning.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2024

In August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia, as a result of conflict over the disputed region of South Ossetia.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023

Separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been dormant since spring 1994, although political settlements remain elusive.

From The 1998 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency