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Definition of zanzibar

zanzibar

/ˈzæn.zɪ.bɑːr/
Zan · zi · bar
Adjective:Zanzibari
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zanzibar Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A semi-autonomous archipelago and region of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, historically renowned as a major global center for the spice trade.

Example

"During our trip to East Africa, we spent several days relaxing on the pristine white beaches of Zanzibar."

2

The capital and largest city of the Zanzibar archipelago, situated on the western coast of Unguja island in Tanzania and notable for its historic center, Stone Town.

• Nearby Words

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zantedeschia
zanthoxylum
zanzibar
zapopan
zaporizhzhia
zaragoza

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Persian word 'Zang-bâr', meaning 'coast of the blacks' (Zang referring to the native people, and bâr meaning coast), which entered Arabic as 'Zanjibār' before passing into European languages.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Zanzibar. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/zanzibar
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