Definition

Noun: * The capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A proper noun referring to the former name of the capital city, located on the Congo River. It is directly across the river from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo.

Usage Notes

• Historical Context: "Leopoldville" is the former name of the city. It was renamed Kinshasa in 1966. The term "Leopoldville" is primarily used in historical contexts.
• Proper Noun: As the name of a specific city, it is always capitalized.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In 1960, the independence ceremonies were held in Leopoldville.
  • The city known as Leopoldville is now called Kinshasa.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Reference: The name is used when discussing the colonial era or the early years of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's independence.
  • The conference held in Leopoldville in 1960 was a pivotal moment.

Variants and Related Words

• Kinshasa (noun): The current and official name of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Kinshasa is one of the largest cities in Africa.

Synonyms

• Kinshasa: The direct modern synonym for the city.

Noun

1. the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the Congo river opposite Brazzaville