a former duchy of W Europe: divided when Belgium became independent (1830), the south forming the Belgian provinces of Antwerp and Brabant and the north forming the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands
2.
a former province of central Belgium; replaced in 1995 by the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant
Brabant in American English
(brəˈbænt; brəˈbɑnt)
1.
former duchy of W Europe, originating in the late 12th cent.: since 1830, divided between the Netherlands (North Brabant province) & Belgium (provinces Antwerp & Brabant)
2.
province of central Belgium: 1,297 sq mi (3,359 sq km); pop. c. 2,243,000; cap. Brussels