Mariana Islands

American  

[mair-ee-ahn-uh ahy-luhndz, mar-, mah-ree-ah-nah] / ˈmɛər iˌɑn ə ˈaɪ ləndz, ˈmær-, ˌmɑ riˈɑ nɑ /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a group of 15 small islands in the Pacific, E of the Philippines: divided into Guam, a possession of the U.S., and the North Marianas, formally under U.S. trusteeship. 453 sq. mi. (1,127 sq. km).

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Mariana Islands British  

/ ˌmærɪˈɑːnə /

plural noun

1. Former name (1521–1668): Ladrone Islands.  a chain of volcanic and coral islands in the W Pacific, east of the Philippines and north of New Guinea: divided politically into Guam (a US unincorporated territory) and the islands north of Guam constituting the Northern Mariana Islands (a US commonwealth territory). Area: 1018 sq km (393 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued a tsunami advisory for the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

In mid-April 2026, Super Typhoon Sinlaku swept across the North Pacific, delivering heavy rainfall and flooding to the Mariana Islands.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

Democrats, meanwhile, held primaries in the states of Georgia, Washington and Mississippi, as well as in the Northern Mariana Islands and for Democrats living abroad.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2024

After five to 10 years—or, for one Methuselah, 22 years—the eels undergo a final metamorphosis into chonky silver eels and make one last journey to their original birthing grounds near the Mariana Islands to spawn.

From National Geographic • Feb. 9, 2024

He showed her the deepest spot on earth, seven miles deep, above the Mariana Islands.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri