English Lexicon

Soviet Union

/ˈsoʊ.vi.ət ˈjuː.njən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A former socialist state in Eurasia that existed from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991, comprising 15 Soviet republics.

    "The Soviet Union played a decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II."
  2. 2

    Used historically to refer to the governing political entity and dominant superpower that opposed the United States during the Cold War.

    "Relations between the United States and the Soviet Union thawed during the late 1980s."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'Soviet Union' derives from the Russian word 'Советский Союз' (Sovetskiy Soyuz), which means 'Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' (USSR). It was established in 1922 following the Russian Revolution and existed until its dissolution in 1991, representing a federation of multiple republics under a centralized communist government.

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