name

Zaire

zeye-EER

Zaire (name) means the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, used from 1971 to 1997. Example: “The country was known as Zaire under President Mobutu's rule.”

name

The former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, used from 1971 to 1997.

"The country was known as Zaire under President Mobutu's rule."

Another name for the Congo River, the major river of Central Africa.

"Cargo boats have carried goods along the Zaire for generations."

noun

The unit of currency used in Zaire from 1967 to 1998.

"Runaway inflation made the zaire almost worthless by the early 1990s."

How to use Zaire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe old name for both the country now called the DR Congo and its currency.

Easily confused with

congo →

Word forms

zaires plural, zaire plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Zaire” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The country was known as _____ under President Mobutu's rule.

Etymology

A shortened form of the Kongo phrase "nzadi o nzere," meaning "the river that swallows all rivers," referring to the Congo River; adopted as the country's name under Mobutu's Authenticity Movement.

Rhymes for Zaire

ire fire wire tire lire dire hire mire sire afire spire shire

See all rhymes for Zaire →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Zaire” mean?

The word “Zaire” means the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, used from 1971 to 1997. In plain terms, the old name for both the country now called the DR Congo and its currency.

How do you pronounce “Zaire”?

“Zaire” is pronounced zeye-EER (/zɑːˈɪəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Zaire” in a sentence?

Here is “Zaire” used in a sentence: “The country was known as Zaire under President Mobutu's rule.”

What part of speech is “Zaire”?

Depending on how it is used, “Zaire” can be a name and a noun.

How many meanings does “Zaire” have?

“Zaire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, used from 1971 to 1997.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Zaire:

Words that start with Z