# Yemen

/ˈjɛmən/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the country

noun · CEFR B1

a country in the Middle East, located south of Saudi Arabia and west of Oman.

For teachers: a sovereign nation-state in Western Asia, officially the Republic of Yemen, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman.

- The capital city of Yemen is Sanaa, which is famous for its old buildings.
- Diplomatic efforts continue to focus on bringing stability to Yemen and addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

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

### 2. the historical region

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic

the name for the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula in history.

For teachers: the historical and geographical region of the southern Arabian Peninsula, formerly known in Latin as Arabia Felix.

- Ancient trade routes for spices and incense passed through the region of Yemen.
- Historical accounts of the region often describe Yemen as a fertile land that stood in contrast to the surrounding desert.

## Examples

- The capital city of Yemen is Sana'a.
- Yemen has a long history as a center for the spice trade due to its strategic location on the Red Sea.
- Scholars often study Yemen for its remarkably preserved mud-brick skyscrapers in Shibam, which represent some of the oldest examples of vertical urban planning in the world.

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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.