Liberia

[ lahy-beer-ee-uh ]

noun

1. a republic in West Africa: founded in 1822 by freeborn and formerly enslaved Black people from the United States. About 43,000 sq. mi. (111,000 sq. km). : Monrovia.

Liberia

/ laɪˈbɪərɪə /

noun

1. a republic in W Africa, on the Atlantic: originated in 1822 as a home for freed Afro-American slaves, with land purchased by the American Colonization Society; republic declared in 1847; exports are predominantly rubber and iron ore. Official language: English. Religion: Christian majority, also animist. Currency: dollar. Capital: Monrovia. Pop: 3 989 703 (2013 est). Area: 111 400 sq km (43 000 sq miles)

Liberia

1. Republic in western Africa , bordered by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, the Ivory Coast to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.

Notes

The American Colonization Society began settlement of black Americans, most of them freed slaves, in 1822. Eventually, 15,000 blacks emigrated to Liberia.

A civil war that commenced in 1989 and that lasted until the mid-1990s claimed more than 150,000 lives.

Other Words From

• an·ti-Li·be·ri·an adjective noun
• Li·be·ri·an adjective noun
• pro-Li·be·ri·an adjective noun
• trans-Li·be·ri·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Liberia¹

First recorded in 1825–30; from Latin līber “free” + -ia ( def )

Example Sentences

The ship is registered in Liberia to Mediterranean Shipping Company, which did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

From Seattle Times

Twenty years ago, Lacroix said, a united international community pushed in the same direction as the United Nations to restore peace to East Timor, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cambodia.

From Seattle Times

While Kenya has vast experience in international peacekeeping, including during the civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Haiti is uncharted territory.

From BBC

Critics in Liberia have opposed the creation of the court, saying it risks reopening old wounds.

From BBC

“For many citizens of Liberia, they see this as essential to a larger project establishing the rule of law in Liberia, so that there’s faith in institutions,” she said.

From Seattle Times