Benin

Be·nin

geographical name \bə-ˈnēn, -ˈnin; ˈbe-nin\

Definition of BENIN

1

river ab 100 miles (161 kilometers) S Nigeria W of the Niger flowing into Bight of Benin

2

former kingdom W Africa on lower Niger River; incorporated in Nigeria after 1897

3

or formerly Da·ho·mey \də-ˈhō-mē\ country W Africa on Gulf of Guinea; a republic, formerly a territory of French West Africa official ∗ Porto-Novo, seat of government Cotonou area 43,483 square miles (112,621 square kilometers), pop 6,769,914

4

or Benin City city SW Nigeria in W delta of Niger River pop 202,800

— Be·ni·nese \bə-ˌni-ˈnēz, -ˌnē-, -ˈnēs; ˌbe-ni-ˈnēz, -ˈnēs\ adjective or noun