[muh-ley-zhuh, -shuh] 
| 1. | a constitutional monarchy in SE Asia: a federation, comprising the former British territories of Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak: member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 20,376,235; 126,310 sq. mi. (327,143 sq. km). Capital: Kuala Lumpur. |
| 2. | Malay Archipelago. |
| an extensive island group in the Indian and Pacific oceans, SE of Asia, including the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccas, and the Philippines. |
Ma·lay·sia (mə-lā'zhə, -shə)  (click for larger image in new window) A country of southeast Asia consisting of the southern Malay Peninsula and the northern part of the island of Borneo. Malays probably moved into the penisula c. 2000 B.C., eventually reaching northern Borneo and displacing the indigenous Dayaks. Europeans arrived in the 16th century. By the 20th century Great Britain had established protectorates throughout the lower peninsula, which later formed the Union (1946) and then the Federation (1948) of Malaya. Gaining independence in 1957, it joined with Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak to become the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. Singapore gained independence separately in 1965. Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city. Population: 24,800,000. Ma·lay'sian adj. & n. |
Country in Southeast Asia consisting of West Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula (extending south of Thailand) and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Its capital and largest city is Kuala Lumpur.
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