Definition

Proper noun: 1. A country in Eastern Europe: A sovereign state located in southeastern Europe, bordered by Belarus, Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and the Black Sea. 2. A historical region: The center of the original medieval East Slavic state, Kyivan Rus', which formed in the 9th century. 3. A former Soviet republic: A republic that was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1922 until its independence in 1991.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine.
  • The history of Ukraine as a center of Slavic culture dates back many centuries.
  • After the dissolution of the USSR, Ukraine became an independent nation.

Advanced Usage

• "the Ukraine" (historical/dated): Previously a common form, but the definite article is now considered incorrect in modern English when referring to the sovereign country. The official and preferred name is simply "Ukraine".
  • Incorrect/dated: He traveled to the Ukraine.
  • Correct: He traveled to Ukraine.

Variants and Related Words

• Ukrainian (adjective): Of or relating to Ukraine, its people, or their language.
  • She is studying Ukrainian history.
• Ukrainian (noun):
  • A person from Ukraine.

    • He is a Ukrainian.
  • The Slavic language spoken in Ukraine.

    • She speaks fluent Ukrainian.

Synonyms

• Ukrainian State: (A formal synonym, often used in political or historical contexts).

Noun

1. a republic in southeastern Europe; formerly a European soviet; the center of the original Russian state which came into existence in the ninth century