Switzerland

Compound of Switzer +‎ -land, adopted in the 16th century from Early Modern German Schwytzerland (“land of the Swiss”). Noun sense refers to the state’s political neutrality in both World Wars.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈswɪt.sə.lənd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈswɪt.sɚ.lənd/
• (Philippines) IPA^(key): /ˈswit.sɚ.lɐnd/

• Audio (UK):

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• Audio (US):

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Switzerland

2. A country in Western Europe and Central Europe. Official name: Swiss Confederation. Capital: Bern (de facto).

   Much of Switzerland is located in the Alps.

   • 2024 September 24, Sandee LaMotte, “Chemicals linked to breast cancer leach into our foods, study finds”, in CNN‎^[1]:

     “There is strong evidence that 76 known or potential breast carcinogens from food contact materials recently purchased all over the world can be found in people,” said study coauthor Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, that focuses on science communication and research.

• Switzerland County

• Swiss
• Switzer

Switzerland (uncountable)

1. (figurative) A neutral party in a dispute; one who does not take sides.

   I’m not getting involved in this argument. I’m Switzerland.

• Countries of the world