Word.ws English Dictionary

kyiv

/ˈkiːɪv/

kyiv is the alternative form of Kiev.

Meaning of Kiev

Proper noun

Kiev

  1. The capital city of Ukraine and the administrative centre of Kyiv Oblast.
    Synonyms:
    Kiev Oblast, Kyiv Oblast
  2. An oblast of Ukraine. Seat: Kyiv.
  3. (metonymically) The government of Ukraine.
  4. (historical) Synonym of Kievan Rus: a former principality in Europe centered on Kyiv.
    Synonyms:
    Kievan Rus, Kyivan Rus, Principality of Kiev, Principality of Kyiv

See all 5 meanings of kiev

Proper noun capitalized: Kyiv

Kyiv

  1. The capital city of Ukraine and regional administrative centre of Kyiv Oblast.
    • The Ukrainian government says Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and other cities have suffered a barrage of drone attacks, and pleaded with Western countries to step up their assistance in the face of the new challenge.2022 October 17, Ivana Kottasová, “‘Kamikaze’ drones are the latest threat for Ukraine. Here’s what we know”, in CNN, archived from the original on 18 Jun 2024
    • Zarutska graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in art and restoration, her obituary says.2025 September 10, Holly Yan, Jeff Winter, “Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing that killed a Ukrainian refugee is charged with a federal crime. Here’s what we know”, in CNN, archived from the...
    1. An oblast of Ukraine. Seat: Kyiv.
    2. (historical) A former voivodeship of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, established in 1471, disestablished in 1793.
    3. (historical) A former governorate of Tsardom of Russia, the Russian Empire, the Ukrainian People's Republic, Ukrainian State and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, established in December 18, 1708, disestablished in November 7, 1764, re-established in 1802, disestablished again in 1925.
    4. (historical) A former uyezd in Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire.
  2. (metonymically) The Ukrainian government.
    • “Ukraine’s future is within the EU,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Twitter after the decision, describing it as a “unique and historical moment” in Kyiv’s relations with the bloc.2022 June 23, Emily Rauhala, Karina Tsui, “E.U. has backed candidate status for Ukraine. Here’s what that means.”, in The Washington Post, archived from the original on 23 Jun 2022, Europe
    • After Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces last week, Kyiv said it was applying to join NATO, and would not negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is president.2022 October 4, “Kremlin welcomes Elon Musk proposal for Ukraine settlement denounced by Kyiv”, in Kevin Liffey, editor, Reuters, archived from the original on 04 Oct 2022, Europe
  3. (abbreviation, ellipsis) Ellipsis of the Kyiv District, synonym of the Kyivskyi District: an urban raion of Donetsk, Donetsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine; under Russian occupation.
  4. (abbreviation, ellipsis) Ellipsis of Kyiv Peninsula: a peninsula in Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

Forms of kyiv

alternative formKiev
alternative formKyïv
alternative formKyjiv
alternative formKyyiv
alternative formKiou
alternative formKiov
alternative formKiow
alternative formKiew
alternative formKiof
alternative formKioff
alternative formKief
alternative formKieff
alternative formKiovia
alternative formKiowia

Origin of kyiv

Transliteration of Ukrainian Ки́їв (Kýjiv), from Old East Slavic Кꙑевъ (Kyjevŭ), traditionally said to derive from the name of city's legendary founder, Kyi. Other proposals derive it from Proto-Slavic *kyjь (“stick, club, hammer”) (compare to Ukrainian кий (kyj)). See also at the article about Old East Slavic Кꙑевъ (Kyjevŭ).

Words formed from kyiv

Phrases with kyiv

Words that rhyme with kyiv

45 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about kyiv

What does kyiv mean?
Kyiv means the capital city of Ukraine and regional administrative centre of Kyiv Oblast.
What is kyiv the alternative form of?
Kyiv is the alternative form of Kiev.
What part of speech is kyiv?
Kyiv is a proper noun.
How do you pronounce kyiv?
Kyiv is pronounced /ˈkiːɪv/.

Words near kyiv in the dictionary

  1. kyes
  2. Kyger
  3. Kygers
  4. Kyi
  5. Kyis
  6. kyiv
  7. Kyiv Rus
  8. Kyiv-style chicken
  9. Kyiv-style chicken cutlet
  10. Kyiv-style cutlet
  11. Kyivan

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: kyiv (page history and authors); Kyiv (page history and authors); Kiev (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated:

Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Kyiv.wav.

Cite this entry: “kyiv.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/kyiv. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.