Persia

[ pur-zhuh, -shuh ]

/ ˈpɜr ʒə, -ʃə /

noun

Also called Persian Empire. an ancient empire located in W and SW Asia: at its height it extended from Egypt and the Aegean to India; conquered by Alexander the Great 334–331 b.c.

former official name (until 1935) of Iran.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for persia

The other night, quite by chance, I came across some lines in Rumi, the 13th-century poet—a Sufi mystic from Persia.
Only Iraq Can Save Itself From Chaos|Jay Parini|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since the faith was founded by a man named Baha Allah in 19th-century Persia, Bahais have often been persecuted.
Silenced in Iran: The Plight of Bahai Prisoners of Conscience|Roxana Saberi|June 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The first culture, of course, was that of Persia; the second, that of Sparta.
Persian Fire and Rubicon (Full)|David Frum|September 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Jake Gyllenhaal and his biceps could make the leap to macho this year with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
Hollywood's New Macho Man|Gina Piccalo|April 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Just as Persia has its Ruths gleaning in the fields, so also Rebekah with her water pot may be seen daily.
Oriental Women|Edward Bagby Pollard
The book bears out the assertions of its title, and is a valuable contribution to the geography and ethnography of Persia.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers|Jules Verne
Its Sehna knot, cotton warp and weft, as well as much of the drawing, are typical of Persia.
Oriental Rugs|Walter A. Hawley
Persia has undoubtedly tightened her grip upon them, and she is sucking their life-blood out of them.
Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, Volume II (of 2)|Isabella L. Bird
The gardens were planted with trees, brought at great expense from India and Persia.
Thais|Anatole France

British Dictionary definitions for persia

Persia

/ (ˈpɜːʃə) /

noun

the former name (until 1935) of Iran

another name for Persian Empire

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