Pakistan

American  

[pak-uh-stan, pah-kuh-stahn] / ˈpæk əˌstæn, ˌpɑ kəˈstɑn /

noun

1. Islamic Republic of, a republic in S Asia, between India and Afghanistan: formerly part of British India; known as West Pakistan from 1947–71 to distinguish it from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). 310,403 sq. mi. (803,881 sq. km). Islamabad.

2. (before 1947) the predominantly Muslim areas of the peninsula of India as distinguished from Hindustan, the predominantly Hindu areas.

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Pakistan British  

/ ˌpɑːkɪˈstɑːn /

noun

1. a republic in S Asia, on the Arabian Sea: the Union of Pakistan, formed in 1947, comprised West and East Pakistan; East Pakistan gained independence as Bangladesh in 1971 and West Pakistan became Pakistan; a member of the Commonwealth from 1947, it withdrew from 1972 until 1989; contains the fertile plains of the Indus valley rising to mountains in the north and west Official language: Urdu. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: rupee. Capital: Islamabad. Pop: 193 238 868 (2013 est). Area: 801 508 sq km (309 463 sq miles)

2. a former republic in S Asia consisting of the provinces of West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), 1500 km (900 miles) apart: formed in 1947 from the predominantly Muslim parts of India

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Pakistan Cultural  

1. Republic in southern Asia, bordered by India to the east, the Arabian Sea (an arm of the Indian Ocean) to the south, Iran to the southwest, and Afghanistan to the west and north.

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Discover More

Pakistan became part of British India in 1857. When India gained its independence in 1947, Muslim leaders demanded a separate Muslim state, and the nation of Pakistan was established. Originally, Pakistan consisted of two regions, West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

In 2001, Pakistan's president allowed the United States to use his country as a base to attack Afghanistan for harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda members.

In 1998, Pakistan successfully conducted tests of nuclear weapons.

Example Sentences

But before making the big decision, he is just looking forward to returning to Pakistan and bringing gifts from Dubai for his family: Barbie dolls for his daughters and a toy airplane for his son.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Trump’s emissaries—his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his realtor friend Steve Witkoff—came close to piecing together such a deal through Pakistan emissaries.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

Bengal was divided along religious lines into predominantly Hindu West Bengal, which became part of India, and Muslim-majority East Pakistan, later becoming Bangladesh.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

They said Iran would announce a deal was achieved via Pakistan, the framework’s main mediator.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The image of the little boy in the market in Pakistan comes to mind, and guilt over all of the extra food in my stomach makes it churn.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan