ENGLISH
REFERENCE

belgium

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈbɛɫdʒəm// bel·gium

n. a country in Western Europe that is famous for its chocolate, waffles, and history. It is a member of the European Union and has three official languages.

n. a sovereign state in Western Europe, bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. It is a constitutional monarchy and a founding member of the European Union, hosting the headquarters of major international organisations.


SIMPLE

We are planning a trip to Belgium this summer.

CONTEXTUAL

Many international diplomats live in Belgium because the capital city serves as the administrative heart of Europe.

COMPLEX

The linguistic divide in Belgium between the Dutch-speaking north and the French-speaking south has shaped much of the nation's political structure and cultural identity over the last century.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin Belgium, from the name of the tribe of Belgae.

Usage

As a proper noun, it is always capitalised and typically used without an article.

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