Netherlands

[neth -er-luh ndz] /ˈnɛð ər ləndz/
noun
1.
the, (used with a singular or plural verb) a kingdom in W Europe, bordering on the North Sea, Germany, and Belgium. 13,433 sq. mi. (34,790 sq. km). Capitals: Amsterdam and The Hague.
Also called Holland.
Dutch Nederland.
Related forms
Netherlander
[neth -er-lan-der, -luh n-] /ˈnɛð ərˌlæn dər, -lən-/ (Show IPA), noun
Netherlandian, adjective
Examples from the web for Netherlands
  • The low countries history of the northern and southern Netherlands.
  • The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands.
  • There are several types of carnival celebrated in the Netherlands.
British Dictionary definitions for Netherlands

Netherlands

/ˈnɛðələndz/
noun (functioning as singular or pl) the Netherlands
1.
Also called Holland. a kingdom in NW Europe, on the North Sea: declared independence from Spain in 1581 as the United Provinces; became a major maritime and commercial power in the 17th century, gaining many overseas possessions; formed the Benelux customs union with Belgium and Luxembourg in 1948 and was a founder member of the Common Market, now the European Union. It is mostly flat and low-lying, with about 40 per cent of the land being below sea level, much of it on polders protected by dykes. Official language: Dutch. Religion: Christian majority, Protestant and Roman Catholic, large nonreligious minority. Currency: euro. Capital: Amsterdam, with the seat of government at The Hague. Pop: 16 805 037 (2013 est). Area: 41 526 sq km (16 033 sq miles) Dutch name Nederland
2.
the kingdom of the Netherlands together with the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium, esp as ruled by Spain and Austria before 1581; the Low Countries
Word Origin and History for Netherlands

from Dutch Nederland, literally "lower land" (see nether); said to have been used by the Austrians (who ruled much of the southern part of the Low Countries from 1713 to 1795), by way of contrast to the mountains they knew, but the name is older than this. The Netherlands formerly included Flanders and thus were equivalent geographically and etymologically to the Low Countries. Related: Netherlander; Netherlandish (c.1600).