Pakistan
Americannoun
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Islamic Republic of, a republic in S Asia, between India and Afghanistan: formerly part of British India; known as West Pakistan from 1947–71 to distinguish it from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). 310,403 sq. mi. (803,881 sq. km). Islamabad.
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(before 1947) the predominantly Muslim areas of the peninsula of India as distinguished from Hindustan, the predominantly Hindu areas.
noun
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a republic in S Asia, on the Arabian Sea: the Union of Pakistan, formed in 1947, comprised West and East Pakistan; East Pakistan gained independence as Bangladesh in 1971 and West Pakistan became Pakistan; a member of the Commonwealth from 1947, it withdrew from 1972 until 1989; contains the fertile plains of the Indus valley rising to mountains in the north and west Official language: Urdu. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: rupee. Capital: Islamabad. Pop: 193 238 868 (2013 est). Area: 801 508 sq km (309 463 sq miles)
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a former republic in S Asia consisting of the provinces of West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), 1500 km (900 miles) apart: formed in 1947 from the predominantly Muslim parts of India
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Pakistan became part of British India in 1857. When India gained its independence in 1947, Muslim leaders demanded a separate Muslim state, and the nation of Pakistan was established. Originally, Pakistan consisted of two regions, West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
In 2001, Pakistan's president allowed the United States to use his country as a base to attack Afghanistan for harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda members.
In 1998, Pakistan successfully conducted tests of nuclear weapons.
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.
The Saudis also have a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, struck last year to deter attacks in the region as trust in the U.S. security establishment was eroded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Pakistan, which has experience fighting mountain rebels of its own, deployed jet fighters and troops to Saudi Arabia a few months ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Old Trafford, which was due to host a Test in 2027 - as per the venue allocation made in 2023, external - will host an ODI against Pakistan.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
That suffered a blow in 2011 when US forces raided a compound in Pakistan and found Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
The only reason I knew he was from Pakistan is because I asked.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
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.
