South Pacific

American  

[south puh-sif-ik] / ˈsaʊθ pəˈsɪf ɪk /

noun

1. the region of the world that lies in the Southern Hemisphere of the Pacific Ocean, including all the coastal countries, islands, and archipelagos located there.

   expanding their commercial interests in the South Pacific.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the world that lies in the Southern Hemisphere of the Pacific Ocean, often specifically to the South Pacific Ocean itself.

   studying the South Pacific trenches.

Etymology

Origin of South Pacific

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Fiji's environment ministry on Thursday rejected a plan by an Australian billionaire to burn rubbish for energy in the South Pacific nation, after a backlash from traditional landowners and tourism operators.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Located in the South Pacific roughly halfway between New Zealand and Peru, the islands are one of the most remote and sparsely populated places on Earth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

While stopping in the South Pacific, Brown directed Captain Bratash to two other points, “so nobody could say ‘you haven’t been there.’”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

As Ludogorets celebrated becoming Bulgarian champions once again last summer, history reared into view - only Tafea, from the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu, could top their 14 successive titles.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

We were scheduled to come down in an empty part of the South Pacific, where the aircraft carrier Hornet was waiting for us.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins