United Arab Emirates

American  

[yoo-na-tid ar-uhb uh-meer-its, em-er-its] / yuˈnæ tɪd ˈær əb əˈmɪər ɪts, ˈɛm ər ɪts /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. an independent federation in E Arabia, formed in 1971, now comprising seven emirates on the southern coast formerly, Pirate Coast, thenTrucial Coast of the Persian Gulf, formerly under British protection: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah (joined 1972), and Fujairah. About 32,300 sq. mi. (83,657 sq. km). Abu Dhabi. U.A.E., UAE

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United Arab Emirates British  

plural noun

1. Former name (until 1971): Trucial States.   UAE.  a group of seven emirates in SW Asia, on the Persian Gulf: consists of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Qaiwain, Ras el Khaimah, and Fujairah; a former British protectorate; became fully independent in 1971; consists mostly of flat desert, with mountains in the east; rich petroleum resources. Official language: Arabic. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: dirham. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Pop: 5 473 972 (2013 est). Area: 83 600 sq km (32 300 sq miles)

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United Arab Emirates Cultural  

1. A federation of seven kingdoms on the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered to the east by Oman, the south and west by Saudi Arabia, and the northwest by Qatar.

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Oil reserves have been exploited since the early 1960s.

Once the domain of pirates, the area was subdued by the British in 1820. It was a British protectorate from 1892 until the late 1960s.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates shut down a gas field after a missile interception reportedly rained debris on it and started a fire, the Associated Press reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates said its air defences were again responding to missile and drone "threats".

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates is willing to work with the U.S. and other allies to open the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the U.S. and other allies open the waterway by force, The Wall Street Journal External link reported on Tuesday, citing Arab officials.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

I later learned that the United Arab Emirates had offered the plane, which was fully equipped with an onboard medical unit.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai