Venezuela

American  

[ven-uh-zwey-luh, ve-ne-swe-lah] / ˌvɛn əˈzweɪ lə, ˌvɛ nɛˈswɛ lɑ /

noun

1. a republic in northern South America. 352,143 sq. mi. (912,050 sq. km). Caracas.

2. Also called Maracaibo.  Gulf of Venezuela. a gulf of the Caribbean Sea between northwestern Venezuela and northern Colombia, connecting with Lake Maracaibo. 75 miles (120 km) long and up to 150 miles (240 km) wide.

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Venezuela British  

/ ˌvɛnɪˈzweɪlə /

noun

1. Official name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.  a republic in South America, on the Caribbean: colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century; independence from Spain declared in 1811 and won in 1819 after a war led by Simón Bolívar. It contains Lake Maracaibo and the northernmost chains of the Andes in the northwest, the Orinoco basin in the central part, and the Guiana Highlands in the south. Exports: petroleum, iron ore, and coffee. Official language: Spanish. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: bolívar. Capital: Caracas. Pop: 28 459 085 (2013 est). Area: 912 050 sq km (352 142 sq miles)

2. an inlet of the Caribbean in NW Venezuela: continues south as Lake Maracaibo

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Venezuela Cultural  

1. Republic in northern South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the southwest and west. Its capital and largest city is Caracas.

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Discover More

Venezuela became independent from Spain in 1821.

Venezuela is rich in oil, which accounts for about ninety percent of its export income. Because of its revenue from oil, Venezuela has the highest per capita national income in Latin America. It was a founder of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Example Sentences

"Initially there was a lot more weight attached to his comments, whether this was related to tariffs or what happened in Venezuela or in Iran," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Perhaps this could all be done more quickly than securing the Strait of Hormuz or occupying Kharg, but it’s not an in-and-out operation like Venezuela.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

After Chávez’s failed coup, Flores spent hours with him at Yare prison, an overcrowded complex outside the capital, making plans for Venezuela in the new century.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Venezuela had previously provided large quantities of oil to Cuba, its regional ally.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Last she’d heard Lio had made it to Venezuela where a group of exiles was training for an invasion.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez