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Definition of benghazi

benghazi

/bɛnˈɡɑːzi/
Ben · gha · zi
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benghazi Lexical Profile

• noun

1

American The 2012 militant attack on the United States diplomatic compound and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, or the subsequent political investigations surrounding the event.

Example

"The congressional hearings focused extensively on the security failures surrounding Benghazi."

2

A major port city in northeastern Libya, situated on the Gulf of Sidra in the Mediterranean Sea, serving as the country's second-largest city and a principal economic center.

Word Nuance & Usage

While primarily a geographic location, in American political discourse 'Benghazi' frequently functions as a metonym for the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound and the ensuing controversies.

• Rhymes for benghazi

• Nearby Words

bengal tiger
bengaluru
bengawan solo
benghazi
beni
benign
benignly

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the name of a 15th-century Islamic ascetic, Sidi Ghazi. The town was known as Marsa ibn Ghazi ('Port of the Son of Ghazi'), which evolved into Bani Ghazi and eventually Benghazi.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Benghazi. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/benghazi
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