Yangon

American  

[yang-gon, ‑-gawn] / yæŋˈgɒn, ‑ˈgɔn /

noun

1. former capital of Myanmar (Burma), located in the southern part of the country. See Nay Pyi Taw.

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Yangon British  

/ jæŋˈɡɒn /

noun

1. Former name (official until 1989, still widely used in English): Rangoon.  the largest city and chief port of Myanmar (Burma): officially superseded as capital in 2006 by Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw), though still retaining some of the functions of government; an industrial city and transport centre; dominated by the gold-covered Shwe Dagon pagoda, 112 m (368 ft) high. Pop: 4 082 000 (2005 est)

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Example Sentences

The fuel shortage is especially tough for businesses in Myanmar because so many depend on generators for power; the electricity grid provides only a few hours of power a day in most of Yangon.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

AFP reporters in Yangon have seen queues outside some petrol stations and restrictions on the amount of fuel sold to each driver, but the junta has only allowed modest price hikes so far.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

Around one-fifth of the country's 330 townships, including the cities of Yangon and Mandalay, voted in the last stage.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

"The people have very little interest in this election," said the 50-year-old Yangon resident.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

My finger skims the cities of Yangon, near the coast, and Mandalay, the darker mountainous region farther north.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline