Botswana

IPA/bətswˈɑːnə/
KK[bɑtswˈɑnə]IPA/bɑːtswˈɑːnə/

Botswana — noun

1. a landlocked nation in the southern part of Africa, lying west of Zimbabwe and n

1.nounA2
Definition

a landlocked nation in the southern part of Africa, lying west of Zimbabwe and north of South Africa, noted for its deserts, wildlife parks, and diamond mines

Example

Botswana is home to the Kalahari Desert, which covers much of its land.

proper noun used as subject

Tariro spent two weeks in Botswana photographing elephants in Chobe National Park.

preposition: in Botswana

Common collocations
  • in Botswana
  • visit Botswana
  • the government of Botswana
  • Botswana's economy
  • northern Botswana

Grammar Patterns

Botswana + verb (singular)

2. the independent republic that gained self-rule from Britain in 1966, with Gaboro

2.nounB1
Definition

the independent republic that gained self-rule from Britain in 1966, with Gaborone as its capital

Example

Botswana became an independent republic in 1966 after British rule ended.

historical context: became an independent republic

The capital of Botswana is Gaborone, near the South African border.

collocation: capital of Botswana

Common collocations
  • independent republic
  • since independence
  • the people of Botswana

Grammar Patterns

Botswana + verb (singular)

Usage Note

This sense focuses on Botswana as a political entity with its own government and history, rather than as a geographical area.

Word family

  • Botswanan
    adjectiveB1
  • Motswana
    nounB2
  • Batswana
    nounB2
  • Tswana
    nounB2

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the Republic of Botswana
  • northern Botswana
  • southern Botswana

Prepositions

Etymology

TswanaEnglish

The name Botswana comes from the Tswana language, in which 'Bots-wana' means 'land of the Tswana people'. The Tswana are the largest ethnic group in the country. The name was adopted when the country gained independence from Britain in 1966, replacing the former colonial name Bechuanaland.