Zimbabwe

American  

[zim-bahb-wey, -wee] / zɪmˈbɑb weɪ, -wi /

noun

1. Formerly Southern Rhodesia,.  Formerly Rhodesia.  a republic in southern Africa: a former British colony and part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; gained independence 1980. 150,330 sq. mi. (389,362 sq. km). Harare.

2. the site of stone ruins Great Zimbabwe discovered c1870 in Rhodesia, probably built by a Bantu people, consisting of three main groups of ruins, and dating between the 9th and 15th centuries a.d.

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Zimbabwe British  

/ zɪmˈbɑːbwɪ, -weɪ /

noun

1. Former names: Southern Rhodesia.   Rhodesia.  a country in SE Africa, formerly a self-governing British colony founded in 1890 by the British South Africa Company, which administered the country until a self-governing colony was established in 1923; joined with Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Nyasaland (now Malawi) as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 1953 to 1963; made a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) under the leadership of Ian Smith in 1965 on the basis of White minority rule; proclaimed a republic in 1970; in 1976 the principle of Black majority rule was accepted and in 1978 a transitional government was set up; gained independence under Robert Mugabe in 1980; effectively a one-party state since 1987; a member of the Commonwealth until 2003, when it withdrew as a result of conflict with other members. Official language: English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: Zimbabwe dollar. Capital: Harare. Pop: 13 182 908 (2013 est). Area: 390 624 sq km (150 820 sq miles)

2. Also: Great Zimbabwe.  a ruined fortified settlement in Zimbabwe, which at its height, in the 15th century, was probably the capital of an empire covering SE Africa

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Zimbabwe Cultural  

1. Landlocked republic in south-central Africa, bordered by Botswana to the west, Zambia to the north, Mozambique to the east, and South Africa to the south. Formerly called Rhodesia. Harare (formerly called Salisbury) is the capital and largest city.

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A British colony from the end of the nineteenth century to 1965 and then (1965–1980) a renegade state ruled by a white minority, Zimbabwe became independent in 1980.

Other Word Forms

• Zimbabwean
  adjective

Example Sentences

Zimbabwe also exports to around 60 other markets, Matsvaire said, confirming plans for US tobacco giant Philip Morris International to resume activities in the country after several decades.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

South African police say have they arrested "wanted fugitive" French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

A "facilitator" who had allegedly been paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Moscow has also pushed a recruitment drive across the African continent, signing up fighters from Egypt to South Africa and from Ghana to Zimbabwe.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

“Runako was so clever! After we left Zimbabwe, her headmaster sent a letter to our village. ‘I have spoken to the nuns at the Catholic school,’ he wrote.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer