Netherlands

[ neth-er-luhndz ]

noun
  1. the, (used with a singular or plural verb) a kingdom in W Europe, bordering on the North Sea, Germany, and Belgium. 13,433 sq. mi. (34,790 sq. km). Capitals: Amsterdam and The Hague.

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Other words from Netherlands

  • Neth·er·land·er [neth-er-lan-der, -luhn-], /ˈnɛð ərˌlæn dər, -lən-/, noun
  • Neth·er·land·i·an, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for Netherlands

Netherlands

/ (ˈnɛðələndz) /


nounthe Netherlands (functioning as singular or plural)
  1. Also called: Holland a kingdom in NW Europe, on the North Sea: declared independence from Spain in 1581 as the United Provinces; became a major maritime and commercial power in the 17th century, gaining many overseas possessions; formed the Benelux customs union with Belgium and Luxembourg in 1948 and was a founder member of the Common Market, now the European Union. It is mostly flat and low-lying, with about 40 per cent of the land being below sea level, much of it on polders protected by dykes. Official language: Dutch. Religion: Christian majority, Protestant and Roman Catholic, large nonreligious minority. Currency: euro. Capital: Amsterdam, with the seat of government at The Hague. Pop: 16 805 037 (2013 est). Area: 41 526 sq km (16 033 sq miles): Dutch name: Nederland

  2. the kingdom of the Netherlands together with the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium, esp as ruled by Spain and Austria before 1581; the Low Countries

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