Philippines

[ fil-uh-peenz, fil-uh-peenz ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. an archipelago of 7083 islands in the Pacific, SE of China: formerly (1898–1946) under the guardianship of the U.S.; now an independent republic. 114,830 sq. mi. (297,410 sq. km). : Manila.

Philippines

/ ˈfɪlɪˌpiːnz; ˌfɪlɪˈpiːnz /

noun

1. Republic of the Philippines
   functioning as singular a republic in SE Asia, occupying an archipelago of about 7100 islands (including Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, and Negros): became a Spanish colony in 1571 but ceded to the US in 1898 after the Spanish-American War; gained independence in 1946. The islands are generally mountainous and volcanic. Official languages: Filipino, based on Tagalog, and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: peso. Capital: Manila. Pop: 105 720 644 (2013 est). Area: 300 076 sq km (115 860 sq miles) Filipino

Philippines

1. Republic in the southwestern Pacific Ocean , comprising over seven thousand islands. Its capital and largest city is Manila.

Notes

Named for Philip II, king of Spain during the sixteenth century.

Although Philippine independence had long been an important political issue, the country did not gain full independence until 1946.

It continues to be plagued by allegations of corruption in high places and by a Muslim insurgency.

The Spanish held control of the islands until 1898, when they were transferred to the United States after the Spanish-American War .

The country was under the virtual dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 until 1986, when he was forced into exile in the United States.

Occupied by the Japanese during World War II , the islands were liberated by Allied troops under General Douglas MacArthur .

Word History and Origins

Origin of Philippines¹

Named in 1544 by Ruy López de Villalobos (about 1500–44), Spanish explorer, who called the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas after Prince Philip of Austria, the Prince of Asturias at the time (later he became King Philip II of Spain)

Example Sentences

He first developed the habit as an “Air Force brat” kid growing up, moving with his family between the Philippines, Oklahoma and Hawaii, when he began obsessively accumulating information about the television business.

From Los Angeles Times

There are, or have been, women elected as heads of state and government in Honduras, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Guyana, Ireland, Britain, Israel and Germany.

From Los Angeles Times

The Biden administration has spent the last four years building up friendships across Asia with the likes of South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam - all in an effort to contain China.

From BBC

“My dad gave it to me a few weeks ago,” she responded, adding that it’s the patron saint of his hometown in the Philippines.

From Los Angeles Times

Casinos, condominiums, golf courses and hotels followed, from Atlantic City, Chicago and Las Vegas to India, Turkey and the Philippines.

From BBC