Switzerland

[swit-ser-luh nd]

noun

a republic in central Europe. 15,944 sq. mi. (41,294 sq. km). Capital: Bern.

French Suisse.German Schweiz.Italian Svizzera.Latin Helvetia.

Related formspro-Switz·er·land, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for switzerland

Contemporary Examples of switzerland

Andrew still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, representing the British government.
From Playboy Prince to Dirty Old Man?
Tom Sykes
January 5, 2015
After reading The Game in 2007, he says, he started going out in Switzerland and practicing RSD methods.
The Secret World of Pickup Artist Julien Blanc
Brandy Zadrozny
December 1, 2014
“In almost all rural areas of Switzerland, it is customary to eat cats and dogs,” she says.
Will the Swiss Quit Cooking their Kittens and Puppies?
Barbie Latza Nadeau
November 30, 2014
Yes, animal rights activists are trying to ban the eating of cats and dogs in Switzerland.
Will the Swiss Quit Cooking their Kittens and Puppies?
Barbie Latza Nadeau
November 30, 2014
Her mother Ursula is from Switzerland, and her father Sayed is from Pakistan.
How A Muslim Dad Reacted To His Daughter Coming Out
Moral Courage
November 21, 2014

Historical Examples of switzerland

This romantic region has been proudly termed the Switzerland of Canada.
The Hunted Outlaw
Anonymous
I asked my mother to go with me, but she went to Switzerland with my youngest sister.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
I divided the remainder of the summer and autumn between Switzerland and Italy.
The Room in the Dragon Volant
J. Sheridan LeFanu
I had unawares added to her grief, for her brother Charley was going to Switzerland too.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald
The time arrived when I had to leave England for Switzerland.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for switzerland

Switzerland

noun

a federal republic in W central Europe: the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden formed a defensive league against the Hapsburgs in 1291, later joined by other cantons; gained independence in 1499; adopted a policy of permanent neutrality from 1516; a leading centre of the Reformation in the 16th century. It lies in the Jura Mountains and the Alps, with a plateau between the two ranges. Official languages: German, French, and Italian; Romansch minority. Religion: mostly Protestant and Roman Catholic. Currency: Swiss franc. Capital: Bern. Pop: 7 996 026 (2013 est). Area: 41 288 sq km (15 941 sq miles)German name: Schweiz French name: Suisse Italian name: Svizzera Latin name: Helvetia (hɛlˈviːʃə)

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

Word Origin and History for switzerland

Switzerland

named for Schwyz, one of its original cantons. On postage stamps, etc., identified by the Roman name for the region, Helvetia, to avoid having to print the four different forms of the name in the country’s four official languages: Suisse, Schweiz, Svizzera, Svizra.

switzerland in Culture

Switzerland

Republic in central Europe, bordered by France to the west, Germany to the north, Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, and Italy to the east and south. Its capital is Bern, and its largest city is Zurich.

Note

Known for its strict neutrality, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality in both World War I and World War II.

Note

Swiss banks allow depositors to be identified by a number known only to the depositor and a few bank officials; private fortunes can therefore be kept secret.

Note

It is famous for its watchmaking industry and its milk chocolate.