Main Entry: Lib·ya

Pronunciation: \ˈli-bē-ə\

Function: geographical name

1 the part of Africa N of the Sahara between Egypt & Syrtis Major (Gulf of Sidra) —an ancient name
2 N Africa W of Egypt —an ancient name
3 country N Africa bordering on the Mediterranean; a colony of Italy 1912–43, an independent kingdom 1951–69, a republic since 1969 ∗ Tripoli area 679,358 square miles (1,766,331 square kilometers), population 5,678,500