Singapore

American  

[sing-guh-pawr, -pohr, sing-uh-] / ˈsɪŋ gəˌpɔr, -ˌpoʊr, ˈsɪŋ ə- /

noun

1. an island on the Strait of Singapore, off the S tip of the Malay Peninsula.

2. an independent republic comprising this island and a few adjacent islets: member of the Commonwealth of Nations; formerly a British crown colony (1946–59) and member of the federation of Malaysia (1963–65). 220 sq. mi. (570 sq. km). Singapore.

3. a seaport in and the capital of this republic.

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Singapore British  

/ ˌsɪŋɡə-, ˌsɪŋəˈpɔː /

noun

1. a republic in SE Asia, occupying one main island and over 50 small islands at the S end of the Malay Peninsula: established as a British trading post in 1819 and became part of the Straits Settlements in 1826; occupied by the Japanese (1942–45); a British colony from 1946, becoming self-governing in 1959; part of the Federation of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, when it became an independent republic (within the Commonwealth). Official languages: Chinese, Malay, English, and Tamil. Religion: Buddhist, Taoist, traditional beliefs, and Muslim. Currency: Singapore dollar. Capital: Singapore. Pop: 5 460 302 (2013 est). Area: now over 700 sq km (270 sq miles), increased in recent years as a result of land reclamation schemes

2. the capital of the republic of Singapore: a major international port; administratively not treated as a city

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Singapore Cultural  

1. An island republic in Southeast Asia at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.

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Discover More

It is one of the world's biggest and busiest ports.

Though only 225 square miles in size, it is a major economic power in Asia.

A British colony from 1946 to 1959, Singapore then became independent.

Other Word Forms

• Singaporean noun

Example Sentences

Last summer, Manus moved most of its China-based employees to Singapore after receiving investment from Benchmark.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Many executives and analysts viewed the decision by Manus to move to Singapore as an effort to cut ties with China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Manus shifted operations to Singapore last year, but "it's unclear whether it has moved the official registration as well, which may give Beijing more leverage", Chang said.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Subsequently, Manus raised $75 million in a fund-raising round led by venture firm Benchmark and officially moved its headquarters to Singapore.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

“I’d see the world. Singapore, Zurich, Melbourne. Oh, I know. You should visit Tuvalu. It’s an island nation that’s not going to be around long if oceans keep rising.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty