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rainbow nation

British  

noun

  1. an epithet, alluding to its multiracial population, of South Africa

"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

Etymology

Origin of rainbow nation

C20: coined by Nelson Mandela following the end of apartheid

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.

See Examples For:

Still, it is becoming more challenging to sustain the belief that South Africa - this charming, troubled, rainbow nation - will simply continue to muddle, endlessly, through.

From BBC Aug. 26, 2023

Mandela once called the temple an example of the rainbow nation.

From Washington Post May 9, 2019

Like, for example, the multicolored “Vote” bamboo-cotton tee designed by Mr. Gurung to represent not only the action, but also the idea of the rainbow nation.

From New York Times Nov. 1, 2018

If all the advantages of the rainbow nation – stunning landscape and wildlife, massive mineral resources and a youthful population – are represented here, then so too are all its problems.

From The Guardian Oct. 17, 2018

“South Africa is a rainbow nation for me,” said Semenya, who carried the flag at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

From Washington Times Oct. 17, 2018

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