/pak"euh stan', pah'keuh stahn"/ , n.
1. Islamic Republic of , a republic in S Asia, between India and Afghanistan: formerly part of British India; known as West Pakistan from 1947-71 to distinguish it from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). 132,185,299; 310,403 sq. mi. (803,881 sq. km). Cap.: Islamabad.
2. (before 1947) the predominantly Muslim areas of the peninsula of India as distinguished from Hindustan, the predominantly Hindu areas.