Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • An island country of the central Pacific Ocean south of the equator and west of Kiribati. Inhabited by a population of mainly Polynesian ancestry, Nauru was explored by the British in 1798, became a German protectorate in 1888, and was administered by Australia from 1914 until 1942, when it was captured by Japan. Recaptured by Australia in 1945, Nauru became independent in 1968. Yaren is the de facto capital.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A country in Oceania. Official name: Republic of Nauru.
  • proper noun The island on which the country is located.
  • proper noun Nauruan, the language of Nauru

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an island republic on Nauru Island; phosphate exports support the economy
  • noun a small island in the central Pacific Ocean 2,800 miles to the southwest of Hawaii; in Micronesia to the west of the Gilbert Islands

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Possibly from Nauruan anáoero ("I go to the beach").

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Nauru.

Examples

  • It is not correct to say based on that advice that for example Nauru, which is Mr Abbott's plan, could be proceeded with without legal risk, and the solicitor-general points to that legal risk,'' she said.

    The Australian | News | 2011

  • He promises he would call Nauru on his first day in the job.

    NEWS.com.au | Top Stories 2010

  • Announcing his government would introduce new minimum and non-parole periods for people-smuggling offences, Mr Abbott said on day one he would call the Nauru President to start talks to re-open the offshore processing centre there.

    The Age News Headlines 2010

  • Raised atolls, such as Nauru and Niue, were produced when geologic action elevated the coral limestone above the surrounding sea.

    Atoll 2008

  • GRAEME DOBELL: Let’s look at Nauru, which is entering a new phase in its relationship with Australia.

    Transcript - Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs - The Hon Duncan Kerr MP 2008

  • Australia set up immigration processing centres in other countries, such as Nauru and Papua

    Edmonton Sun 2010

  • The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, flirts with the idea of sending asylum seekers to other countries such as Nauru without explicitly promising a return to the '' Pacific solution ''.

    The Sydney Morning Herald News Headlines 2010

  • Australia set up immigration processing centres in other countries, such as Nauru and Papua

    London Free Press 2010

  • On one hand the Coalition were sending troops to deal with conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet when people came from those countries seeking protection they were treated as if they had been involved in criminal activity and sent to isolated places such as Nauru with little recognition that they were in need of protection.

    unknown title 2009

  • He writes: 'On one hand the Coalition were sending troops to deal with conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet when people came from those countries seeking protection they were treated as if they had been involved in criminal activity and sent to isolated places such as Nauru with little recognition that they were in need of protection.

    unknown title 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Australian penal colony for refugees.

    February 3, 2016