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Definition of balkans
balkans
/ˈbɔːl.kənz/
Bal · kans
Plural:Balkans
•Adjective:Balkan
balkans Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A major geographical and cultural region in southeastern Europe, situated on the Balkan Peninsula, which encompasses countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.
Example
"The history of the Balkans has been profoundly shaped by its position at the crossroads of various influential empires."
Word Nuance & Usage
Almost always capitalized and used with the definite article ('the Balkans'); while grammatically plural, it is often treated conceptually as a singular geographic and geopolitical entity.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Ottoman Turkish word 'balkan', meaning 'a chain of wooded mountains', which was originally used to describe the Balkan Mountains in modern-day Bulgaria.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Balkans. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/balkans