Search Dictionary
Definition of mwanza
mwanza
/ˈmwɑːn.zə/
Mwan · za
mwanza Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major port city in northern Tanzania, East Africa, situated on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, known as the country's second-largest city and a critical economic hub for the lake region.
Example
"Researchers established a base in Mwanza to study the diverse cichlid fish populations native to Lake Victoria."
Word Nuance & Usage
Mwanza is frequently referred to colloquially as 'Rock City' due to the massive, striking granite boulders that dot the city and its adjacent lake shores, most notably Bismarck Rock.
• Rhymes for mwanza
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the local Sukuma language, the name reflects the indigenous heritage of the Sukuma people who are the primary ethnic group in the region surrounding southern Lake Victoria.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mwanza. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mwanza