Suez

American  

[soo-ez, soo-ez] / suˈɛz, ˈsu ɛz /

noun

1. a seaport in NE Egypt, near the S end of the Suez Canal.

2. Gulf of, a NW arm of the Red Sea, W of the Sinai Peninsula.

3. Isthmus of, an isthmus in NE Egypt, joining Africa and Asia. 72 miles (116 km) wide.

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Suez British  

/ ˈsuːɪz /

noun

1. a port in NE Egypt, at the head of the Gulf of Suez at the S end of the Suez Canal: an ancient trading site and a major naval station under the Ottoman Empire; port of departure for pilgrims to Mecca; oil-refining centre. It suffered severely in the Arab-Israeli conflicts of 1967 and 1973. Pop: 513 000 (2005 est)

2. a strip of land in NE Egypt, between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea: links Africa and Asia and is crossed by the Suez Canal

3. the NW arm of the Red Sea: linked with the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal

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Example Sentences

The strait, whose name means Gate of Tears, leads to the Suez Canal and is one of the most important links for ships sailing between Asia and Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The only points of passage that have tollbooths are the Suez and Panama canals, both of which are artificial constructions that require maintenance.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

In retrospect, the Suez crisis is seen as a turning point in 20th-century history.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

It will want that arrangement to continue, and may also demand tolls from shippers, of the kind they pay to transit the Suez Canal.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Mum and I went back together on a boat, through the Suez Canal, calling at Aden and Barcelona.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall