Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • A former kingdom of western Africa, now part of Nigeria. It flourished from the 14th to the 17th century.
  • A country of western Africa. Originally made up of several ancient kingdoms colonized by France in the 19th century, it became independent in 1960 and was renamed Benin in 1975. Porto-Novo is the capital and Cotonou the largest city.
  • A city of southern Nigeria near the Benin River, about 160 km (100 mi) long. The city is known for its bronze works of art.
  • Bight of,A wide indentation of the Gulf of Guinea in western Africa.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A country in Western Africa. Official name: Republic of Benin.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a country on western coast of Africa; formerly under French control

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Portuguese Benim, transcription of local corruption of Itsekiri ubinu, from Yoruba ile ibinu ("house of vexation").

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Examples

  • According to Wantchekon, some 30% of the monthly income of many middle-class families in Benin is spent on funerals!

    Boing Boing 2009

  • In a recent New York Times editorial, Angelique (whose own mother was educated, a rarity) wrote, "My dream is to see every little girl in Benin have the chance I had right after independence: access to a great and sustained education."

    Holly Cara Price: Angelique Kidjo and "The Sound of the Drum" Holly Cara Price 2010

  • Before the floods, an estimated one-million people in Benin were already dealing with insecure food supplies, and more than one third of children under five were chronically malnourished.

    Agencies Appeal for Aid to Help Benin's Flood Victims 2010

  • "We are very concerned about the situation in Benin, and humanitarian agencies are working today very, very hard in order to launch this important appeal, in order to mobilize the international community and seek the support of the international community to help the victims of the flood in Benin," Trassari states.

    Agencies Appeal for Aid to Help Benin's Flood Victims 2010

  • Recent flooding in Benin has left more than 100,000 people homeless.

    Agencies Appeal for Aid to Help Benin's Flood Victims 2010

  • In a recent New York Times editorial, Angelique (whose own mother was educated, a rarity) wrote, "My dream is to see every little girl in Benin have the chance I had right after independence: access to a great and sustained education."

    Holly Cara Price: Angelique Kidjo and "The Sound of the Drum" Holly Cara Price 2010

  • I'm a current PCV in Benin, West Africa and thinking of doing a second tour in Cambodia as a health volunteer next year.

    And I’m Back Will 2009

  • In a recent New York Times editorial, Angelique (whose own mother was educated, a rarity) wrote, "My dream is to see every little girl in Benin have the chance I had right after independence: access to a great and sustained education."

    Holly Cara Price: Angelique Kidjo and "The Sound of the Drum" Holly Cara Price 2010

  • In a recent New York Times editorial, Angelique (whose own mother was educated, a rarity) wrote, "My dream is to see every little girl in Benin have the chance I had right after independence: access to a great and sustained education."

    Holly Cara Price: Angelique Kidjo and "The Sound of the Drum" Holly Cara Price 2010

  • In a recent New York Times editorial, Angelique (whose own mother was educated, a rarity) wrote, "My dream is to see every little girl in Benin have the chance I had right after independence: access to a great and sustained education."

    Holly Cara Price: Angelique Kidjo and "The Sound of the Drum" Holly Cara Price 2010

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