Great Britain
WordNet
noun
(1) An island comprising England and Scotland and Wales
(2) A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland
WiktionaryText
Proper noun
- The island (and some of the surrounding smaller islands) off the north-west coast of Europe made up of Britain in turn made of Scotland,England and Wales.)
- (1707-1801) Abbreviation: GB.
- the UK.
Usage notes
In older writing the phrase 'Great Britain' is often used to mean the United Kingdom 1707-1801. Today it is rarely used in English except as a purely geographical term. In most contexts it is replaced by Britain.