Yangon

American  

[yang-gon, ‑-gawn] / yæŋˈgɒn, ‑ˈgɔn /

noun

1. former capital of Myanmar (Burma), located in the southern part of the country. See Nay Pyi Taw.

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Yangon British  

/ jæŋˈɡɒn /

noun

1. Former name (official until 1989, still widely used in English): Rangoon.  the largest city and chief port of Myanmar (Burma): officially superseded as capital in 2006 by Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw), though still retaining some of the functions of government; an industrial city and transport centre; dominated by the gold-covered Shwe Dagon pagoda, 112 m (368 ft) high. Pop: 4 082 000 (2005 est)

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Example Sentences

The fuel shortage is especially tough for businesses in Myanmar because so many depend on generators for power; the electricity grid provides only a few hours of power a day in most of Yangon.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

"They won since before the election," said one 28-year-old Yangon resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Around one-fifth of the country's 330 townships, including the cities of Yangon and Mandalay, voted in the last stage.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

"I don't expect anything from this election," a 34-year-old Yangon resident told AFP earlier, requesting anonymity for security reasons.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

My finger skims the cities of Yangon, near the coast, and Mandalay, the darker mountainous region farther north.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline