russia

russia — noun

1. the largest country in the world by area, stretching across Eastern Europe and n

1.nounB1
Definition

the largest country in the world by area, stretching across Eastern Europe and northern Asia all the way to the Pacific Ocean, with Moscow as its capital.

Example

Kwame learned about Russia's role in the space race during his science class.

proper noun + possessive: Russia's role in [domain]

The Liang family traveled to Russia to visit Moscow's famous Red Square.

prepositional phrase: traveled to Russia

Synonyms
  • the Russian Federation

    formal political name used in official documents and diplomacy; less common in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

Russia + singular verb

in / to / from + Russia

Usage Note

As a proper noun, Russia is always capitalized and is not preceded by the definite article the except in historical or political phrases such as 'the Russia of the tsars'.

Common Mistakes

I visited the Russia last summer.
I visited Russia last summer.
Most country names do not take a definite article.
Russias economy is growing quickly.
Russia's economy is growing quickly.
Use an apostrophe for the possessive form of proper nouns.
She is a Russia citizen.
She is a Russian citizen.
Use the adjective Russian, not the country name, as a modifier.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Russia is the everyday name for the country and is used in all contexts: 'She moved to Russia in 2019.' The Russian Federation is the formal constitutional name appearing in official documents, international treaties, and diplomatic settings: 'The delegation represented the Russian Federation at the United Nations.' In ordinary conversation and writing, Russia is the natural choice. Using 'the Russian Federation' in casual speech sounds overly formal, except when emphasizing the country's official status as a federal state. Both refer to the same geopolitical entity.

Russia ↗the Russian Federation

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Russia's government
  • Russia's economy
  • Russia's history
  • Russia's border
  • Russia's capital

Phrases

  • the whole of Russia
  • in and around Russia
  • northern / eastern / western Russia
  • modern-day Russia

Prepositions

  • in Russia
  • to Russia
  • from Russia
  • across Russia
  • throughout Russia

Etymology

Old East SlavicGreekLatinEnglish

The name Russia comes from the Old East Slavic word Русь (Rus'), which originally referred to the people and territory of the medieval state centered around Kyiv. The term passed into Greek as Ῥωσία (Rōsía), then into Latin as Russia, and finally into English.