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Definition of kinabatangan

kinabatangan

/ˌkɪn.ə.bəˈtæŋ.ɡən/
Ki · na · ba · tan · gan

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kinabatangan Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The second-longest river in Malaysia, located in the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, renowned globally for its diverse rainforest floodplain ecosystems and as a sanctuary for endangered wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and Bornean pygmy elephants.


2

A district in the Sandakan Division of Sabah, Malaysia, encompassing the basin of the Kinabatangan River and extensive conservation areas.

Example

"The government established new protected wildlife corridors in Kinabatangan to mitigate the impact of agricultural expansion on the local elephant population."

• Rhymes for kinabatangan

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from local indigenous and Malay origins in Sabah, Borneo. A prominent etymological theory suggests it combines 'Kina' (a local term for Chinese) and 'batang' or 'batangan' (meaning river, main stream, or log), likely referring to early Chinese trading settlements along its banks.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kinabatangan. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kinabatangan
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