United Arab Emirates: Meaning and Definition of

Unit'ed Ar'ab Emir'ates

1. an independent federation in E Arabia, formed in 1971, now comprising seven emirates on the S coastof the Persian Gulf, formerly under British protection: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah (joined 1972), and Fujairah. 1,130,000; ab. 32,300 sq. mi. (83,657 sq. km). Cap.: Abu Dhabi. Abbr.: U.A.E.&hasp; Formerly,