Definition of: Syria

(sir′ē·ə) noun
1. A former republic, 1941–1958, south of Asia Minor on the NE coast of the Mediterranean, a part of the United Arab Republic from 1958–61; 72,234 square miles; capital, Damascus. Arabic Esh Shan.
2. A former French mandated territory, 1920–1941, roughly comprising Syria (def. 1) and Lebanon.
3. An ancient country including Syria (def. 1), Lebanon, Palestine (def. 2), and adjacent districts of western Asia.