What does russia mean?
Russia is the name of a vast country in northern Eurasia, extending across eastern Europe and northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by land area and is officially called the Russian Federation. When used as a proper noun, Russia is always capitalized. The related adjective and demonym are Russian, as in the Russian language, Russian culture, or a Russian citizen. The name comes through Russian from Rus', an early medieval ethnonym for peoples inhabiting the region, although the precise origin of that name remains debated. Today, Russia is a federation made up of numerous republics and other federal subjects, including major cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The word can refer both to the present-day country and, in historical contexts, to the Russian Empire or other Russian political territories.
proper nounRussia is a country in northern Eurasia and the largest country in the world by land area. It spans Europe and Asia and is officially known as the Russian Federation.
- The country occupying most of northern Eurasia, extending across Europe and Asia.
"The journey from western Russia to the Pacific takes more than a week by train."
"Russia's largest cities include Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Novosibirsk."
"The organization has offices in Russia and several other countries."
Russia is the only country whose name comes from an ethnonym associated with the Rus', a people who lived in eastern Europe during the early medieval period.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does russia come from?
The English form Russia comes from Russian Rossiya, which derives from Rus'. Rus' was an early medieval name associated with the Rus', a group or groups of peoples living in eastern Europe. The origin of the name Rus' itself is uncertain, and it has been connected variously with Scandinavian and Slavic sources. The forms Rusyn, Ruthenian, and Ruthene are related ethnonyms and language names sharing this historical root.
Related word forms
How russia is actually used
Russia is a proper noun and is normally capitalized. The related adjective and demonym are 'Russian'; in political contexts, 'the Russian Federation' is the formal official name.