Great Britain

Proper noun

Great Britain

1. A large island (sometimes also including some of the surrounding smaller islands) off the north-west coast of Western Europe, made up of England, Scotland, and Wales.

   Synonyms:

   GB, Gramarye

2. (broadly) The United Kingdom, a kingdom and country in Northern Europe including the island of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland on the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland.

   Synonyms:

   Albion, Blighty, England, Old Blighty, Old Dart, sceptred isle

3. (historical) A former kingdom existing on the island of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, consisting of England, Scotland and Wales; it was in personal union with the Kingdom of Ireland and later merged with it. Official name: Kingdom of Great Britain.
4. England, Scotland and Wales in combination, to the exclusion of Northern Ireland.
5. The United Kingdom national team (often inclusive of Northern Ireland).
   • The manager of the London Cup hockey tournament must apologise for playing apartheid anthem "Die Stem" before South Africa's clash with Great Britain, SA Hockey Association chief executive Marissa Langeni said on Wednesday.2012, “'Apologise' for Die Stem”, in Sport24, South Africa
   • Great Britain apologizes to South Africa for playing apartheid anthem before field hockey game2012, Chris Chance, “Great Britain apologizes to South Africa for playing apartheid anthem before field hockey game”, in Yahoo! Sports, archived from the original on 12 Jun 2018