a republic in SE Asia, occupying one main island and over 50 small islands at the S end of the Malay Peninsula: established as a British trading post in 1819 and became part of the Straits Settlements in 1826; occupied by the Japanese (1942–45); a British colony from 1946, becoming self-governing in 1959; part of the Federation of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, when it became an independent republic (within the Commonwealth). Official languages: Chinese, Malay, English, and Tamil. Religion: Buddhist, Christian, Taoist, traditional beliefs, and Muslim. Currency: Singapore dollar. Capital: Singapore. Pop: 5 708 844 (2017 est). Area: now over 700 sq km (270 sq miles), increased in recent years as a result of land reclamation schemes
2.
the capital of the republic of Singapore: a major international port; administratively not treated as a city
Singapore in American English
(ˈsɪŋəˌpɔr; ˈsɪŋgəˌpɔr)
1.
island off the S tip of the Malay Peninsula
2.
country comprising this island & nearby islets: a former British colony, it became a state of Malaysia (1963-65) & an independentrepublic & member of the Commonwealth (1965): 248 sq mi (642 sq km); pop. 2,930,000
3.
its capital, a seaport on the S coast: pop. 4,018,000
4.
Strait ofchannel between Singapore & a group of Indonesian islands to the south: 65 mi (105 km) long
: also Singapore Strait
Derived forms
Singaporean (ˌSingaˈporean)
adjective, noun
Word lists with
Singapore
capital, country, currency, inhabitant, Major ports of the world