banana republic
noun Usually Disparaging.
any of the small countries in the tropics, especially in the Western Hemisphere, whose economies are largely dependent on fruit exports, tourism, and foreign investors.
Origin of banana republic
First recorded in 1930–35
usage note for banana republic
This term typically refers to a dictatorship that exploits agricultural workers.
Words nearby banana republic
banana bender,
banana family,
banana oil,
banana plug,
banana prawn,
banana republic,
banana republics,
banana seat,
banana shrub,
banana skin,
banana slug
British Dictionary definitions for banana republics
banana republic
noun
derogatory
a small country, esp in Central America, that is politically unstable and has an economy dominated by foreign interest, usually dependent on one export, such as bananas
Cultural definitions for banana republics
banana republics
A term describing any of several small nations in Latin America that have economies based on a few agricultural crops.
notes for banana republics
The term
banana republic is often used in a disparaging sense; it suggests an unstable government.