United Arab Emirates

American  

[yoo-na-tid ar-uhb uh-meer-its, em-er-its] / yuˈnæ tɪd ˈær əb əˈmɪər ɪts, ˈɛm ər ɪts /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. an independent federation in E Arabia, formed in 1971, now comprising seven emirates on the southern coast formerly, Pirate Coast, thenTrucial Coast of the Persian Gulf, formerly under British protection: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah (joined 1972), and Fujairah. About 32,300 sq. mi. (83,657 sq. km). Abu Dhabi. U.A.E., UAE

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United Arab Emirates British  

plural noun

1. Former name (until 1971): Trucial States.   UAE.  a group of seven emirates in SW Asia, on the Persian Gulf: consists of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain, Ras el Khaimah, and Fujairah; a former British protectorate; became fully independent in 1971; consists mostly of flat desert, with mountains in the east; rich petroleum resources. Official language: Arabic. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: dirham. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Pop: 5 473 972 (2013 est). Area: 83 600 sq km (32 300 sq miles)

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United Arab Emirates Cultural  

1. A federation of seven kingdoms on the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered to the east by Oman, the south and west by Saudi Arabia, and the northwest by Qatar.

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Discover More

Oil reserves have been exploited since the early 1960s.

Once the domain of pirates, the area was subdued by the British in 1820. It was a British protectorate from 1892 until the late 1960s.

Example Sentences

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar, whose Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha hubs handle large quantities of long-haul flights, have maintained many restrictions.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Exxon said disruptions to its assets in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will lower global oil-equivalent production by 6% in the first quarter vs. the fourth quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

The couple previously lived in the country before moving to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“Our main security partner is the United States,” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates president, told a group of reporters Saturday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Poppy had told Liyana she would like the men’s elegant clothing in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates better.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye