a country on the west coast of Africa which is a member of the Commonwealth . The capital city, Freetown, was established in 1787 by British people who were against the slave trade, as a place where former slaves could start new lives. There have been several conflicts between the descendants of these people and those of the original population. Sierra Leone became part of the British Empire in the 19th century, and an independent country in 1961.
➡ note at slavery .
► Sierra Leonean adj , n .