# Belgium

/ˈbɛɫdʒəm/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the country

noun · CEFR A1

a country in Western Europe between France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

For teachers: a sovereign state in Western Europe, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, with its capital in Brussels.

- We took the train from Paris to Belgium to see the historic buildings in Bruges.
- Belgium serves as a central hub for international diplomacy, hosting the headquarters of both the European Union and NATO in its capital.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun; usually used without an article.

Teaching tip: Remind students that the adjective and nationality is 'Belgian'.

## Examples

- We are planning a trip to Belgium this summer.
- Many international diplomats live in Belgium because the capital city serves as the administrative heart of Europe.
- 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.

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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.