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Definition of kiribati
kiribati
/ˌkɪrɪˈbæs/
Ki · ri · ba · ti
kiribati Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
An independent island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, consisting of 32 atolls and one raised coral island that span across the equator.
Example
"Due to its extremely low elevation, Kiribati is one of the nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by global climate change."
Word Nuance & Usage
The pronunciation often confuses non-native speakers; in the local language, the syllable 'ti' is pronounced like an 's', making the country's name sound like 'Kee-ree-bas'.
• Rhymes for kiribati
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the local Gilbertese transliteration of the English word 'Gilberts', referring to the Gilbert Islands, which were named after the British explorer Thomas Gilbert.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kiribati. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kiribati