ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ukraine

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //juˈkɹeɪn// ukraine

n. a large country in Eastern Europe known for its rich history and farming. It is the second-largest country on the continent by area.

n. a sovereign state in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east and Poland to the west. It is a unitary republic and a major global exporter of grain.


SIMPLE

Ukraine is famous for its beautiful sunflower fields.

CONTEXTUAL

Many international students choose to study in Ukraine because of its historic universities and diverse culture.

COMPLEX

As a major agricultural powerhouse, Ukraine plays a critical role in global food security, particularly regarding the supply of wheat and sunflower oil to international markets.

Origin

Borrowed from Polish Ukraina or Russian Украи́на (Ukraína), from Old East Slavic оукраина (ukraina), which is most commonly taken to have meant "borderland, marches" in this context, though for about a century now Ukrainian scholars have articulated an alternative theory that it meant "region, country, the land around (a given center)" in this context instead. See Name of Ukraine for more.

Usage

Proper noun; used without a definite article ('the') in modern English, though 'the Ukraine' was common in the past.

Pitfall

I am visiting the UkraineI am visiting UkraineModern English usage treats Ukraine as a proper name without the definite article 'the'.

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