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Definition of istanbul

istanbul

/ˌɪstænˈbuːl/
is · tan · bul
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istanbul Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The largest city in Turkey, straddling the Bosphorus Strait and spanning both Europe and Asia, globally significant for its historical role as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.

Example

"During our trip to Turkey, we spent three days exploring the historic mosques and bustling bazaars of Istanbul."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for istanbul

• Rhymes for istanbul

• Nearby Words

isopod
isotoma
israel
istanbul
isthmus
itajai
itajaí

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Medieval Greek phrase 'εἰς τὴν Πόλιν' (eis tḕn Pólin), meaning 'to the city' or 'in the city,' which served as a common local designation for Constantinople.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Istanbul. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/istanbul
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