Syria

geographical name

Syr·​ia ˈsir-ē-ə How to pronounce Syria (audio)
1
ancient region of southwestern Asia bordering on the Mediterranean Sea and covering modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan
2
former French mandate (1920–44) comprising the Le*vant States \ lə-​ˈvant How to pronounce Syria (audio) \ (Syria, Lebanon, Latakia, and Jebel ed Druz); administrative capital Beirut, legislative capital Damascus
3
country in southwestern Asia bordering on the Mediterranean Sea; capital Damascus area 71,498 square miles (185,180 square kilometers), population 19,454,000

Note: Syria was a republic from 1944 to 1958 and became one again in 1961. From 1958 to 1961, it was a province of the United Arab Republic.

Syrian adjective or noun

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Cite this Entry

“Syria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Syria. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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