sub-Saharan

adjective

sub-Sa·​ha·​ran ˌsəb-sə-ˈher-ən How to pronounce sub-Saharan (audio)
-ˈhär-
: of, relating to, or being the part of Africa south of the Sahara

Examples of sub-Saharan in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The move to acquire a Nigeria license is part of the bank’s Africa expansion, including the appointment of an investment banking lead for sub-Saharan Africa this year, and opening offices in Nairobi and Abidjan. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026 My favorite touch was the large bench in the walk-in dressing room, carved in the shape of a serval—a wild cat native to sub-Saharan Africa. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Today, Seed is active in several sub-Saharan African countries for its training efforts. — Diane Cole, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 Migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa regularly attempt to cross the border fences around Ceuta and Melilla, seeing the Spanish cities as gateways to mainland Europe. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sub-Saharan

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sub-Saharan was in 1899

Rhymes for sub-Saharan

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Browse Nearby Words

subroutine
sub-Saharan
subsaline
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Cite this Entry

“Sub-Saharan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sub-Saharan. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sub-Saharan

adjective
sub-Sa·​ha·​ran
ˌsəb-sə-ˈhar-ən, 
ˈsəb-, 
-ˈher-, 
-ˈhär-
: of, relating to, or being the part of Africa south of the Sahara
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