Vanuatu

American  

[vah-noo-ah-too] / ˌvɑ nuˈɑ tu /

noun

1. a republic consisting of a group of 80 islands in the southern Pacific, about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) northeast of Australia: formerly under joint British and French administration; gained independence 1980. About 5,700 sq. mi. (14,763 sq. km). Vila.

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Vanuatu British  

/ ˈvænuːˌætuː /

noun

1. Former name (until 1980): New Hebrides.  Official name: Republic of Vanuatu.  a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, W of Fiji: a condominium under Anglo-French joint rule from 1906; attained partial autonomy in 1978 and full independence in 1980 as a member of the Commonwealth. Its economy is based chiefly on copra. Official languages: Bislama; French; English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: vatu. Capital: Vila (on Efate). Pop: 261 565 (2013 est). Area: about 14 760 sq km (5700 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Vanuatuan
  adjective

Example Sentences

Vanuatu and Fiji have said they are close to signing similar deals.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Yang Yanming, who is 35 and was born in China but also holds passports from Cambodia and Vanuatu, said he was the resort project’s general manager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

To close that research gap, scientists examined data on 878 coastal fish representing 138 species caught by fishing communities around Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

Discussions with Vanuatu are due to continue in Paris in early 2026.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

It was best seen from the island of Vanuatu in the south Pacific from just after dusk to the hour before dawn when its glow was overwhelmed by the dawnlight.

From The Runaway Asteroid by Cooper, Michael D., [pseud.]