Kuwait

[koo-weyt] /kʊˈweɪt/

noun
1.
a sovereign monarchy in NE Arabia, on the NW coast of the Persian Gulf: formerly a British protectorate. About 8000 sq. mi. (20,720 sq. km).
2.
a seaport in and the capital of this monarchy.
/kʊˈweɪt/
noun
1.
a state on the NW coast of the Persian Gulf: came under British protection in 1899 and gained independence in 1961; invaded by Iraq in 1990; liberated by US-led UN forces 1991 in the Gulf War: mainly desert. The economy is dependent on oil. Official language: Arabic. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: dinar. Capital: Kuwait. Pop: 2 695 316 (2013 est). Area: 24 280 sq km (9375 sq miles)
2.
the capital of Kuwait: a port on the Persian Gulf. Pop: 1 225 000 (2005 est)

Persian Gulf country, named for its capital city (said to have been founded in current form 1705), which is from Arabic al-kuwayt, diminutive of kut, a word used in southern Iraq and eastern Arabia for a fortress-like house surrounded by a settlement and protected by encircling water, and said to be ultimately from Persian. Related: Kuwaiti.
Kuwait [(koo-wayt)]

Independent kingdom on the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordered by Iraq to the north and west and Saudi Arabia to the south.

Note: A major petroleum producer, Kuwait possesses about one-fifth of the world’s oil reserves. It is a leading member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Note: In 1990, Kuwait was invaded by Iraq; in 1991, Iraqi forces were expelled by a coalition of United Nations forces led by the United States. (See also Persian Gulf War.)