Definition

Proper noun: A sovereign island country in the West Indies, part of the Lesser Antilles chain. It is a federation comprising the two islands of Saint Kitts (also called Saint Christopher) and Nevis. The country is located in the Leeward Islands, east-southeast of Puerto Rico. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1983.

Usage

The term is used as the official name of the country. It functions as a singular, proper noun. * The capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is Basseterre. * The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth. * Tourism is vital to the economy of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Advanced Usage

• Diplomatic and Formal Contexts: The full name "Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis" is typically used in official documents, diplomatic communications, and formal contexts.
  • The treaty was signed by the government of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
• "Saint Kitts and Nevis": In common, less formal usage, the shortened form "Saint Kitts and Nevis" is widely accepted and understood.
  • We are planning a vacation to Saint Kitts and Nevis next winter.

Variants and Related Words

• Saint Kitts and Nevis (n): The common, shortened name for the country.
• St. Kitts and Nevis (n): An abbreviated written form.
• SKN (n): An initialism sometimes used informally.

Synonyms

• Saint Christopher and Nevis (n): A historical variant of the name, where "Saint Christopher" is the formal name for Saint Kitts.

Noun

1. a country on several of the Leeward Islands; located to the east southeast of Puerto Rico; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1983