Benin

[ be-neen ]

noun

1. Formerly Dahomey. a republic in W Africa: formerly part of French West Africa; gained independence in 1960. 44,290 sq. mi. (114,711 sq. km). : Porto Novo.
2. Bight of, a bay in N Gulf of Guinea in W Africa.
3. a former native kingdom in W Africa: now incorporated into Nigeria.
4. a river in S Nigeria, flowing into the Bight of Benin.

Benin

/ bɛˈniːn /

noun

1. a republic in W Africa, on the Bight of Benin , a section of the Gulf of Guinea: in the early 19th century a powerful kingdom, famed for its women warriors; became a French colony in 1893, gaining independence in 1960. It consists chiefly of coastal lagoons and swamps in the south, a fertile plain and marshes in the centre, and the Atakora Mountains in the northwest. Official language: French. Religion: animist majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Porto Novo (the government is based in Cotonou). Pop: 9 877 292 (2013 est). Area: 112 622 sq km (43 474 sq miles) Former name (until 1975)Dahomey
2. a former kingdom of W Africa, powerful from the 14th to the 17th centuries: now a province of S Nigeria: noted for its bronzes

Example Sentences

The insultingly low number of pieces the French are willing to let go of implies they are testing whether Benin can ensure their safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Three men in Benin, including a former minister and the man in charge of President Patrice Talon's security, have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup, the state prosecutor has said.

From BBC

Moreover, the militants now routinely range into the northern areas of coastal countries, particularly Benin and Togo.

From BBC

Terrorist groups have been pushing south and staging attacks in Ghana’s coastal neighbors, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

From New York Times

The U.S. has pledged $300 million in financial assistance for the Haiti mission, which will also include support from the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh.

From Seattle Times