Gaza

American  

[gah-zuh, gaz-uh] / ˈgɑ zə, ˈgæz ə /

noun

1. Also called Gaza City.  a seaport and ancient trade route center on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Gaza Strip, adjacent to southwest Israel: occupied by Israel since 1967 and under limited Palestinian self-administration since 1994.

2. Gaza Strip.

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Gaza British  

/ ˈɡɑːzə /

noun

1. Arabic name: Ghazzah.  a city in the Gaza Strip: a Philistine city in biblical times. It was under Egyptian administration from 1949 until occupied by Israel (1967). Pop: 787 000 (2005 est)

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Etymology

Origin of Gaza

First recorded in 1570–80; compare Arabic ghazzah, Biblical Hebrew 'ázāh 

Example Sentences

The international flotilla of some 100 boats, mostly setting sail from Barcelona on April 12, will head towards Gaza around April 20, according to the organisers.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Some 20 French boats set sail from Marseille on Saturday to join up with an international flotilla making a renewed effort to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Gaza, AFP reporters saw.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

At least eight children who were evacuated from Gaza as premature babies in the early weeks of the war, have returned from Egypt and been reunited with their relatives.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

"In this situation, the whole world is focused on Iran, America and Israel, and Gaza is forgotten."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Some also come from Gaza, Nablus, and other cities, towns, and refugee camps.

From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat