Smuts

American

[smœts, smuhts] / smœts, smʌts /

noun

Jan Christiaan 1870–1950, South African statesman and general: prime minister 1919–24, 1939–48.

Smuts British

/ smʌts /

noun

Jan Christiaan (jan ˈkristiˌan). 1870–1950, South African statesman; prime minister (1919–24; 1939–48). He fought for the Boers during the Boer War, then worked for Anglo-Boer reconciliation and served the Allies during World Wars I and II

"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

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.

Johannesburg's international airport, once known as Jan Smuts – honouring a former prime minister – is now called OR Tambo, after the anti-apartheid leader and former president of the ANC.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

"My client fears for his life, if and when extradited, hence the very reason for his asylum application which has been filed today," Kayishema's lawyer, Juan Smuts, told Reuters in an emailed response.

From Reuters • Jun. 20, 2023

Ella Purnell, as the prime minister’s earnest new secretary and Richard Durden, as Field Marshal — and Churchill confidante — Jan Smuts, provide memorable support.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2017

When Gandhi eventually met with Smuts, they reached agreement, according to Gandhi, that the petty restrictions of the Black Act would be repealed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2016

I was extremely curious to see a world leader like Smuts from up close.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023