a republic in Central America, occupying the Isthmus of Panama: gained independence from Spain in 1821 and joined Greater Colombia; became independent in 1903, with the immediate area around the canal forming the Canal Zone under US jurisdiction; Panama assumed sovereignty over the Canal Zone in 1979 and full control in 1999. Official language: Spanish; English is also widely spoken. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: balboa. Capital: Panama City. Pop: 4 098 587 (2017 est). Area: 75 650 sq km (29 201 sq miles)
2. Isthmus of Panama
3. Gulf of Panama
Panama in American English1
(ˈpænəˌmɑ; ˈpænəˌmɔ)
noun
1.
a fine, hand-plaited hat made from select leaves of the jipijapa plant
2.
any similar straw hat
In full Panama hat
Word origin
after Panama (city), once a main distributing center
Panama in American English2
(ˈpænəˌmɑ; ˈpænəˌmɔ)
1.
country in Central America, on the Isthmus of Panama: formerly a part of Colombia,it became independent in 1903: 29,761 sq mi (77,081 sq km); pop. 2,329,000
2.
its capital: seaport on the Gulf of Panama: pop. 585,000
3.
Gulf ofarm of the Pacific, on the S coast of Panama: c. 115 mi (185 km) wide
4.
Isthmus ofstrip of land connecting South America & Central America: 31 mi (50 km) wide at its narrowest point