Tallinn

or Tal·lin

[ tah-lin, tal-in ]

/ ˈtɑ lɪn, ˈtæl ɪn /

noun

a seaport in and the capital of Estonia, on the Gulf of Finland.

Formerly russian Revel; German Reval.

Definition for tallinn (2 of 2)

Estonia

[ e-stoh-nee-uh, e-stohn-yuh ]

/ ɛˈstoʊ ni ə, ɛˈstoʊn yə /

noun

a republic in N Europe, on the Baltic, S of the Gulf of Finland: an independent republic 1918–40; annexed by the Soviet Union 1940; regained independence 1991. 17,413 sq. mi. (45,100 sq. km). Capital: Tallinn.

Also Esthonia.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tallinn

Tallinn feels palpably Scandinavian with its polished old-town brick, seaside positioning and glut of cool cafes.
Next Stop, Quito: Our Top Cities for 2015|Brandon Presser|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tallinn, he boasts, is a favorite destination for liberal Russians seeking escape from their more authoritarian society.
Russia May Threaten the Baltics but Estonia Knows How to Fight Back|James Kirchick|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Suggest Warsaw, Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn keep an eye out for masked men with guns wearing camouflage and no military insignia.
Up to a Point: The U.S. Government’s Minimum Wage Is $430 Million Per Hour|P. J. O’Rourke|March 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After traveling and hiding for a month, he showed up in Tallinn, Estonia, last week and asked for political asylum.
As Authorities Crack Down, Activists Escape From Russia|Anna Nemtsova|December 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for tallinn (1 of 2)

Tallinn

Tallin

/ (ˈtælɪn) /

noun

the capital of Estonia, on the Gulf of Finland: founded by the Danes in 1219; a port and naval base. Pop: 384 000 (2005 est)German name: Reval

British Dictionary definitions for tallinn (2 of 2)

Estonia

Esthonia (ɛˈstəʊnɪə, ɛˈsθəʊ-)

/ (ɛˈstəʊnɪə) /

noun

a republic in NE Europe, on the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic: low-lying with many lakes and forests, it includes numerous islands in the Baltic Sea. It was under Scandinavian and Teutonic rule from the 13th century to 1721, when it passed to Russia: it was an independent republic from 1920 to 1940, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union; became independent in 1991 and joined the EU in 2004. Official language: Estonian. Religion: believers are mostly Christian. Currency: kroon. Capital: Tallinn. Pop: 1 266 375 (2013 est). Area: 45 227 sq km (17 462 sq miles)

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 tallinn

Estonia

often said to be from a Germanic source akin to east, but perhaps rather from a native name meaning "waterside dwellers."

Culture definitions for tallinn

Estonia

[ (e-stoh-nee-uh) ]

Republic on the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, and, separated by the Gulf of Finland, Finland to the north. Estonia also includes several hundred small islands in the Baltic. Its capital and largest city is Tallinn.

Note

Although more closely related by race, language, culture, and history to Scandinavia and Germany than to Russia, after 1721 Estonia was subject to Russian rule. The country briefly achieved independence in the years between World War I and World War II. It resisted integration with the Soviet Union but was forcibly annexed in 1940. In 1991, Estonia was one of the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence as the communist system and the Soviet Union collapsed.