northern cameroons

noun (used with a singular verb)

1. See under Cameroons(def 2).

noun (used with a singular verb)

1. German Kamerun. a region in W Africa: a German protectorate 1884–1919; divided in 1919 into British and French mandates.
2. Also called British Cameroons. the NW part of this region: a British mandate 1919–46 and trusteeship 1946–61; by a 1961 plebiscite the S part (Southern Cameroons) joined the United Republic of Cameroon and the N part (Northern Cameroons) joined Nigeria.