Libyan

noun

Lib·​y·​an ˈli-bē-ən How to pronounce Libyan (audio)
1
: a native or inhabitant of Libya
2
: a language of ancient North Africa probably ancestral to Berber dialects
Libyan adjective

Examples of Libyan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After years of battle, Mr. Hifter’s Libyan National Army seized it in 2018. Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 23 Sep. 2023 In the east, Khalifa Hifter heads a coalition of factions and irregular fighters known as the Libyan National Army, or LNA. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023 Derna is controlled by the Libyan National Army, run by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter and based in the eastern city of Tobruk. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023 And more than 5,000 to 6,000 were missing because of floods in the city, apparently caused by the collapse of dams above Derna, said a spokesman for the Libyan National Army that controls eastern Libya, according to The Associated Press. Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023 Within the leadership of the Hifter’s Libyan National Army, there is growing concern that such support could jeopardize its relations with Egypt, a longtime backer of both Hifter and the Sudanese military chief Burhan. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Libyan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Libyan was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Libyan

Cite this Entry

“Libyan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Libyan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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