rwanda

rwanda — noun

1. a country in east-central Africa, known for its highlands, lakes, and wildlife —

1.nounA2
Definition

a country in east-central Africa, known for its highlands, lakes, and wildlife — especially the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park — with Kigali as its capital city.

Example

Meera is planning a trip to Rwanda next year to see the mountain gorillas.

collocation: trip to Rwanda

Karim's family moved to Rwanda when he was young, and he grew up in Kigali.

Common collocations
  • visit Rwanda
  • travel to Rwanda
  • live in Rwanda
  • Rwanda's capital Kigali
  • the people of Rwanda

Usage Note

Rwanda is a proper noun and does not normally take an article, except in formal political contexts ('the Republic of Rwanda' or, historically, 'the Rwanda'). The adjective 'Rwandan' describes people or things from this country.

Common Mistakes

She went to the Rwanda last summer.
She went to Rwanda last summer.
Country names do not take the definite article unless they contain a common noun like 'Republic' or 'Kingdom'.

2. the official name for a landlocked republic in the African Great Lakes region, b

2.nounB2
Definition

the official name for a landlocked republic in the African Great Lakes region, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, established as an independent state in 1962.

Example

The Republic of Rwanda became a member of the United Nations in 1962.

formal structure: the Republic of Rwanda

Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north and Tanzania to the east.

geography context: bordered by + preposition

Common collocations
  • the Republic of Rwanda
  • landlocked country
  • East African republic
  • bordered by

Usage Note

This sense is used in formal writing, political discussion, and geography texts. In everyday conversation, the simple name 'Rwanda' (sense 1) is preferred. Distinguish from sense 1 by register: sense 1 is general, while sense 2 adds the political/geographical context of a sovereign republic.

Word family

  • Rwandan
    adjectiveB1
  • Rwandan
    nounB1
  • Kinyarwanda
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The country is almost always called simply 'Rwanda' in both spoken and written English. 'The Republic of Rwanda' is used only in formal treaties, official documents, and diplomatic contexts — it sounds stiff in everyday conversation. 'Rwandan' is not a synonym for the country but the adjective or demonym: 'Rwandan cuisine', 'a Rwandan citizen'. Learners should default to 'Rwanda' for the country and reserve the full official name for formal writing about politics or geography.

Rwanda ↗Republic of RwandaRwandan

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the land of a thousand hills
  • East African nation
  • African Great Lakes region

Prepositions

Etymology

KinyarwandaEnglish

The name 'Rwanda' comes from the Kinyarwanda word 'urwanda', meaning 'unity' or 'domain'. It was the name of the ancient Kingdom of Rwanda, which existed from around the 11th century until the late 19th century. The modern Republic of Rwanda took the name when it gained independence from Belgium in 1962.