A small country, especially one in Central America, that is dependent on a single export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government
a small country (especially in Central America) that is politically unstable and whose economy is dominated by foreign companies and depends on one export (such as bananas)
Small, poor countries that are politically unstable are sometimes referred to as banana republics. A small country that is economically dependent on a single export commodity, such as bananas, and is typically governed by a dictator or the armed forces. an insulting word for a small poor country with weak government that depends on financial help from abroad