Sarawak

American  

[suh-rah-wahk, -wah] / səˈrɑ wɑk, -wɑ /

noun

1. a state in the federation of Malaysia, on NW Borneo: formerly a British crown colony (1946–63) and British protectorate (1888–1946). About 50,000 sq. mi. (129,500 sq. km). Kuching.

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Sarawak British  

/ səˈrɑːwək /

noun

1. a state of Malaysia, on the NW coast of Borneo on the South China Sea: granted to Sir James Brooke by the Sultan of Brunei in 1841 as a reward for helping quell a revolt; mainly agricultural. Capital: Kuching. Pop: 2 071 506 (2000). Area: about 124 449 sq km (48 050 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

The Sarawak Report news portal first blew the whistle, followed by The Wall Street Journal in 2015, which published documents showing Najib received at least $681 million in payments to his personal accounts.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

Ongoing disputes over gas aggregation and control with Sarawak could erode Petronas’ long-term position, prompting the company to diversify aggressively, it says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

Born in Sarawak, Ms Rewcastle Brown has two grown sons with husband Andrew Brown, a media strategist and former journalist who is the younger brother of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2024

Anwar cited the proximity of Nusantara to Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak states and federal territories on Borneo island, saying the new capital’s growth will benefit the region’s economy.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 9, 2023

The Dyaks of the Sarawak river in Borneo esteem the durian above all other fruit, eat it unripe both cooked and raw, and salt the pulp for use as a relish with rice.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8 "Dubner" to "Dyeing" by Various