Sin·ga·pore (s ng g -pôr , -p r, sng-) A country of southeast Asia comprising Singapore Island and adjacent smaller islands. A trading center as early as the 14th century, Singapore was later part of Johor, a region of the southern Malay Peninsula, under the Malacca Sultanate. The island of Singapore was ceded to the British East India Company in 1819, and the city was founded the same year by Sir Thomas Raffles. The British took complete control in 1824 and added Singapore to the newly formed Straits Settlements in 1826. During World War II it was held by the Japanese (1942-1945) before being retaken by the British. Singapore became a crown colony in 1946, a self-governing state in 1959, part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, and a fully independent republic in 1965. The city of Singapore is the capital. Population: 4,550,000. Sin ga·pore·an adj. & n.Word History: Singapore comes from Malay Singapora, "Lion-city," but it is possible that one element of its name had a more distant original source. Pora comes from Sanskrit puram, "city, fortress," and is related to Greek polis, "citadel, city." Singa- comes from Sanskrit si  ha , "lion," and is familiar to us in the name Singh, which all male Sikhs use as at least one of their personal names. Interestingly, siha is probably related to Swahili simba, "lion," but since lions are native to Asia as well as Africa, it is not known whether the word came into India from Africa or the other way around, or if both are from a third source. |   |
Singapore [ˌsɪŋəˈpɔː ˌsɪŋgə-]
n
1. (Placename) a republic in SE Asia, occupying one main island and about 58 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, Taoist, traditional beliefs, and Muslim. Currency: Singapore dollar. Capital: Singapore. Pop.: 3 322 000 (2001 est.). Area: 646 sq. km (250 sq. miles)
2. (Placename) the capital of the republic of Singapore: a major international port; administratively not treated as a city
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Singapore - the capital of Singapore; one of the world's biggest portsRepublic of Singapore, Singapore - a country in southeastern Asia on the island of Singapore; achieved independence from Malaysia in 1965 |
| 2. | Singapore - a country in southeastern Asia on the island of Singapore; achieved independence from Malaysia in 1965 ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations - an association of nations dedicated to economic and political cooperation in southeastern Asia and who joined with the United States to fight against global terrorism Southeast Asia - a geographical division of Asia that includes Indochina plus Indonesia and the Philippines and Singapore Singapore Island, Singapore - an island to the south of the Malay Peninsula capital of Singapore, Singapore - the capital of Singapore; one of the world's biggest ports Singaporean - an inhabitant of Singapore | |
| 3. | Singapore - an island to the south of the Malay Peninsula Republic of Singapore, Singapore - a country in southeastern Asia on the island of Singapore; achieved independence from Malaysia in 1965 South China Sea - a tropical arm of the Pacific Ocean near southeastern Asia subject to frequent typhoons |
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