Liberia

[lahy-beer-ee-uh]

noun

1. a republic in West Africa: founded in 1822 by freeborn and formerly enslaved Black people from the United States. About 43,000 sq. mi. (111,000 sq. km). Monrovia.

Liberia

/ laɪˈbɪərɪə /

noun

1. a republic in W Africa, on the Atlantic: originated in 1822 as a home for freed Afro-American slaves, with land purchased by the American Colonization Society; republic declared in 1847; exports are predominantly rubber and iron ore. Official language: English. Religion: Christian majority, also animist. Currency: dollar. Capital: Monrovia. Pop: 3 989 703 (2013 est). Area: 111 400 sq km (43 000 sq miles)

Liberia

1. Republic in western Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, the Ivory Coast to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.

The American Colonization Society began settlement of black Americans, most of them freed slaves, in 1822. Eventually, 15,000 blacks emigrated to Liberia.

A civil war that commenced in 1989 and that lasted until the mid-1990s claimed more than 150,000 lives.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Liberian adjective
• Liberian adjective
• pro-Liberian adjective
• trans-Liberian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Liberia¹

First recorded in 1825–30; from Latin līber “free” + -ia ( def. )

Example Sentences

Taylor, who was born in Liberia, uses electronic prosthetic legs that must be charged and can’t get wet.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have not had discussions about deportees or criminals coming to Liberia."

From BBC

Thousands of black Americans and liberated Africans - rescued from transatlantic slave ships - settled in Liberia during the colonial era.

From BBC

"Kimberley was designed to deal with armed non-state actors in places like Sierra Leone and Liberia," he said.

From BBC

Liberia's former speaker of parliament has been charged with arson over a fire at the nation's House of Representatives, local police have said.

From BBC