Tunisia

American  

[too-nee-zhuh, -shuh, -nizh-uh, -nish-uh, tyoo-] / tuˈni ʒə, -ʃə, -ˈnɪʒ ə, -ˈnɪʃ ə, tyu- /

noun

1. a republic in North Africa, on the Mediterranean: a French protectorate until 1956. 48,330 sq. mi. (125,175 sq. km). Tunis.

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Tunisia British  

/ -ˈnɪsɪə, tjuːˈnɪzɪə /

noun

1. a republic in N Africa, on the Mediterranean: settled by the Phoenicians in the 12th century _bc ; made a French protectorate in 1881 and gained independence in 1955. It consists chiefly of the Sahara in the south, a central plateau, and the Atlas Mountains in the north. Exports include textiles, petroleum, and phosphates. Official language: Arabic; French is also widely spoken. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: dinar. Capital: Tunis. Pop: 10 835 873 (2013 est). Area: 164 150 sq km (63 380 sq miles)

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Tunisia Cultural  

1. Republic in northwestern Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east, and Libya to the southeast.

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Discover More

Tunisia was a French protectorate from 1881 to 1956, when it achieved independence.

In the sixth century b.c., Tunisia became the center of power for the city of Carthage.

Other Word Forms

• Tunisian adjective
• anti-Tunisian adjective
• pro-Tunisian adjective

Example Sentences

Uprisings rocked and, in some cases, uprooted strongman rulers in places such as Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Most of the gas flowed through the Transmed pipeline, which runs from Algeria through Tunisia to Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Ben Hania gathered the cast and crew on a soundstage in her native Tunisia.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Bouzid grew up in Tunisia but moved to France at the age of 18 and now lives between the two countries.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

When tracked down by a journalist at his hotel in Tunisia, he wouldn’t open the door: “Leave me in peace!” he yelled, “I have nothing to say.”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady