Senegal

[sen-i-gawl, -gahl] /ˌsɛn ɪˈgɔl, -ˈgɑl/
noun
1.
a republic in W Africa: independent member of the French Community; formerly part of French West Africa. 76,084 sq. mi. (197,057 sq. km).
Capital: Dakar.
2.
a river in W Africa, flowing NW from E Mali to the Atlantic at St. Louis. About 1000 miles (1600 km) long.
French Sénégal
[sey-ney-gal] /seɪ neɪˈgal/ (Show IPA).
British Dictionary definitions for Senegal

Senegal

/ˌsɛnɪˈɡɔːl/
noun
1.
a republic in West Africa, on the Atlantic: made part of French West Africa in 1895; became fully independent in 1960; joined with The Gambia to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); mostly low-lying, with semidesert in the north and tropical forest in the southwest Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Dakar. Pop: 13 300 410 (2013 est). Area: 197 160 sq km (76 124 sq miles)
Word Origin and History for Senegal

African nation, named for the river through it, perhaps from a local word meaning "navigable."

Senegal in Culture

Senegal definition


Republic in western Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Dakar is the capital and largest city.

Note: Senegal was a French colony from 1895 to 1958. It became fully independent in 1960.