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Updated June 2026
The largest city in Turkey, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Formerly known as Constantinople and Byzantium, it's a major cultural and economic centre.
“Istanbul is renowned for its historic architecture, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.”
/ɪstænˈbʊl/
is·tan·bul
Proper noun with three vowels I-A-U; double B pattern
Worth 10 points; proper nouns typically not allowed in standard play
Look up istanbul in an authoritative dictionary for full definitions, pronunciation, and etymology.
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