a country on the north-east coast of South America, formerly called British Guiana. It was a British colony from 1796 until it became independent in 1966, since when it has been a member of the Commonwealth . Guyana’s official language is English and the capital city is Georgetown. More than half its population are descended from Indian workers brought in for the sugar industry after slavery was ended there in 1838.
► Guyanese adj , n ( pl Guyanese ).