Bahamas

American  

[buh-hah-muhz, -hey-] / bəˈhɑ məz, -ˈheɪ- /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) a group of islands in the W Atlantic Ocean, SE of Florida.

2. (used with a singular verb) an independent country comprising this group: formerly a British colony; gained independence 1973. 4,404 sq. mi. (11,406 sq. km). Nassau.

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Bahamas British  

/ bəˈhɑːməz /

plural noun

1. a group of over 700 coral islands (about 20 of which are inhabited) in the Caribbean: a British colony from 1783 until 1964; an independent nation within the Commonwealth from 1973. Language: English. Currency: Bahamian dollar. Capital: Nassau. Pop: 319 031 (2013 est). Area: 13 939 sq km (5381 sq miles)

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Bahamas Cultural  

1. Republic in the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of 700 islands and islets and 2,400 smaller islands, called cays.

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Discover More

The Bahamas were under the control of Britain until 1973, when they became an independent, self-governing state.

The Bahamas are a popular winter resort.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Bahamian
  noun

Example Sentences

She helped design the SharkSafe Barrier system, which she pitched to the developer of the Club Med resort and has been installed at two beaches in the Bahamas.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

On Friday the president begged off attending his son Donald Jr.’s wedding in the Bahamas, saying, “This is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran.”

From Salon • May 28, 2026

Donald Trump Jr, 48, is set to tie the knot for the second time this weekend, marrying Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas, US media reported.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The top California gasoline suppliers by far are South Korea, the Bahamas and India.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

During college, I’d made a trip to the Bahamas with my Bahamian classmate David, and another to Jamaica with Suzanne.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama