1. A country of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. Originally inhabited by the Maya, the region was settled by the British beginning in 1638 and was established as the crown colony of British Honduras in 1862. It became self-governing in 1964, adopted the name Belize in 1973, and gained independence in 1981. Belmopan is the capital.

2. also Belize City The largest city of Belize, in the eastern part of the country on the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the Belize River. It was devastated by a hurricane in 1961. The capital was moved from here to Belmopan in 1970.