# Ababa

/ˈɑbəbə/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ababa
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the capital city of Ethiopia, located in the central part of the country. It is a major center for politics and culture in Africa.

For teachers: the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, serving as the administrative headquarters for the African Union. It functions as a chartered city with the status of both a city and a state.

## Examples

- Many international diplomats live in Addis Ababa.
- The conference in Addis Ababa brought together leaders from across the continent to discuss trade agreements.
- As a major diplomatic hub, Addis Ababa hosts numerous international organizations, reflecting its historical and contemporary significance in African geopolitics.

## Usage notes

- Usually preceded by 'Addis' to form the full name of the city; rarely used as 'Ababa' in isolation.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.