Gabon

American  

[ga-bon, ga-bawn] / gæˈbɒn, gaˈbɔ̃ /

Also Gabun

noun

1. Official Name Gabonese Republic.  a republic in western equatorial Africa, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by People's Republic of the Congo. 102,290 sq. mi. (264,931 sq. km). Libreville.

2. an estuary in western Gabon. About 40 miles (65 km) long.

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Gabon British  

/ ɡabɔ̃, ɡəˈbɒn /

noun

1. Former English spelling: Gaboon.  a republic in W central Africa, on the Atlantic: settled by the French in 1839; made part of the French Congo in 1888; became independent in 1960; almost wholly forested. Official language: French. Religion: Christian majority; significant animist minority. Currency: franc. Capital: Libreville. Pop: 1 640 286 (2013 est). Area: 267 675 sq km (103 350 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

Gabon is led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who won presidential elections last year after leading a military coup in 2023.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

The disgraced US financier also offered introductions to the African presidents of Kenya, Senegal, Gabon, and DR Congo.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

In recent years, the Grinch, previously named Carl and Carlton, has sailed under the flags of Barbados, Gabon, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, French officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

A shadow tanker often uses a “flag of convenience” provided by smaller, non-Western nations such as Gabon, Comoros or Cameroon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Starvation made Zambia and Tanzania and Ivory Coast and Gabon recognize Biafra, starvation brought Africa into Nixon's American campaign and made parents all over the world tell their children to eat up.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie