Libya

1 the part of Africa north of the Sahara between Egypt and Syrtis Major (the Gulf of Sidra) —an ancient name

2 northern Africa west of Egypt —an ancient name

3 country in northern Africa bordering on the Mediterranean Sea, but largely desert; a colony of Italy 1912–43, an independent kingdom 1951–69, a republic since 1969; capital Tripoli area 679,358 square miles (1,766,331 square kilometers), population 5,491,000 — see also libyan