Zanzibar

geographical name

Zan·​zi·​bar ˈzan-zə-ˌbär How to pronounce Zanzibar (audio)
variants or Swahili Unguja
1
island of eastern Africa off the northeastern Tanzania mainland area 600 square miles (1554 square kilometers), population 700,000

Note: Zanzibar was formerly a sultanate. With Pemba and adjacent islands it formed a British protectorate. It became independent in 1963 and united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form Tanzania.

2
city and port on the island of Zanzibar population 223,033

Note: The city of Zanzibar is the capital of the island and was formerly capital of the protectorate.

Zanzibari noun or adjective

Dictionary Entries Near Zanzibar

Cite this Entry

“Zanzibar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Zanzibar. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Zanzibar

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!