Kyiv

American

[kee-eev, keev, kyi-yif] / ˈki iv, kiv, ˈkyɪ yɪf /

noun

a city in and the capital of Ukraine, on the Dnieper River.

Etymology

Origin of Kyiv

First recorded in 1805–10 with spelling Kiev; the spelling Kyiv was first recorded in 1950–55; Kiev from Russian Kíev, Kyiv from Ukrainian Kýiv, both from Old East Slavic Kyevŭ; of uncertain origin. Traditional (folk) etymology derives the name from Kyi, one of the legendary founders of the city; another etymology suggests that the name of the city was Sarmatian (Iranian) Kiovi Kii “heights, mountains,” and that its inhabitants, a Sarmatian tribe, were called Kivi “mountaineers”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

MUNICH—When the full-scale Russian invasion began, Western defense manufacturers rushed their modern weaponry into Ukraine, helping Kyiv drive back a much more powerful foe.

From The Wall Street Journal

She has traveled to Kyiv aiming to set up partnerships between enfeebled German automobile and machine makers—industries that currently shed 15,000 specialist jobs a month—and Ukrainian arms companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

For context, Ukraine has fewer than 10 Patriot batteries and still struggles to defend the capital, Kyiv.

From BBC

Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa travelled to Kyiv this week to discuss the fate of two Ghanaians taken prisoner on the frontline.

From Barron's

Eight months later, Stasevska entered the world in the Soviet-controlled city of Kyiv, the child of a Ukrainian father and Finnish mother.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023