Rus·sia (rus̸h′ə)

1. former empire (1547-1917) in E Europe & N Asia, ruled by the czars: cap. St. Petersburg

   in full Russian Empire
2. loosely the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
3. Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, esp. the European part
4. country in E Europe and N Asia, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific & from the Arctic Ocean to the Chinese border: formerly the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, established as a country in 1991 upon the breakup of the U.S.S.R.: 6,592,844 sq mi (17,075,400 sq km); pop. 148,022,000; cap. Moscow

   official name Russian Federation

Etymology: < Russ Rus'