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uhuru

American  
[oo-hoo-roo, oo-hoor-oo] / uˈhu ru, ʊˈhʊər u /

noun

Swahili.
  1. freedom; independence.


uhuru British  
/ uːˈhuːruː /

noun

  1. national independence

  2. freedom

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What is uhuru? Uhuru is a Swahili term meaning freedom or independence. Uhuru is often used to describe the freedom of a country to govern itself, especially in parts of Africa where Swahili is spoken. In Kenya, uhuru was used frequently in the mid-1900s when Kenya was gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Uhuru is also the first name of Kenya’s fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the leader of the Jubilee Party of Kenya’s political system. Example: On Jamhuri Day, Mukondi likes to watch the uhuru parades.

Etymology

Origin of uhuru

C20: from Swahili

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After a disappointing political comedown following uhuru, he felt the country did not need him.

From Time Magazine Archive

A torch was lighted on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Julius Nyerere became the first East African leader to have achieved uhuru.

From Time Magazine Archive

As his followers listened to tapes of the uhuru guru, the Black Power movement that he helped model was facing a conflict between its words and deeds.

From Time Magazine Archive

"It seemed to us that the men of Africa had won their uhuru," says Barton, "but that for millions of women freedom was still meaningless."

From Time Magazine Archive

Today, there are And Dares-41,000 whites in Kenya, and they are by their own testimony happier than they were before uhuru.

From Time Magazine Archive