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Zanzibar

[zan-zuh-bahr, zan-zuh-bahr]
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noun

an island off the E coast of Africa: with Pemba and adjacent small islands it formerly comprised a sultanate under British protection; became independent in 1963; now part of Tanzania. 640 sq. mi. (1658 sq. km).
a seaport on W Zanzibar, Tanzania.

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Related formsZan·zi·ba·ri, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for zanzibar

Contemporary Examples of zanzibar

Historical Examples of zanzibar

  • An inhabitant of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, off the eastern coast of Africa.

  • On the 16th of April the 'Aurora' dropped anchor in the harbour of Zanzibar.

    Freeland

    Theodor Hertzka

  • Ivory from Zanzibar, salt from Cadiz and wines from Bordeaux.

    The Harbor

    Ernest Poole

  • He drove his heels into Zanzibar's sides and crouched low in the saddle.

    Old Man Curry

    Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan

  • Johnson slapped Zanzibar on the shoulder, and the colt moved off in the gloom.

    Old Man Curry

    Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan

British Dictionary definitions for zanzibar

Zanzibar

noun

an island in the Indian Ocean, off the E coast of Africa: settled by Persians and Arabs from the 7th century onwards; became a flourishing trading centre for slaves, ivory, and cloves; made a British protectorate in 1890, becoming independent within the Commonwealth in 1963 and a republic in 1964; joined with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Pop: 622 459 (2002)
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