island

American  

[ahy-luhnd] / ˈaɪ lənd /

noun

1. a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.

2. something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.

3. a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.

4. safety island.

5. a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.

6. a clump of woodland in a prairie.

7. an isolated hill.

8. Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.

9. Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make into an island.

2. to dot with islands.

3. to place on an island; isolate.

island British  

/ ˈaɪlənd /

noun

1. a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent

2. See traffic island

3. anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings

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verb

1. to cause to become an island

2. to intersperse with islands

3. to place on an island; insulate; isolate

island Scientific  

/ ī′lənd /

1. A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.

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Other Word Forms

• island-like adjective
• islandish adjective
• islandless adjective
• islandlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of island

First recorded before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, from īeg “island” (cognate with Old Norse ey ) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle

Example Sentences

He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told them last week that the country must prepare for a prolonged conflict in the Middle East that could affect the island’s energy supplies.

From Barron's

And the U.S. isn’t an island—if growth slows around the world, American firms are likely to feel the effects.

From The Wall Street Journal

The authorities warned that a dam in Oahu, the state's most populous island, was at risk of collapse.

From BBC

But Mauritius has long argued that it was illegally forced to give the islands away to gain independence.

From BBC

During President Obama’s first term, when the U.S. and Cuba initially made attempts to thaw our icy relationship, I visited the island country as part of an educational delegation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• archipelago
• enclave
• isle
• islet
• peninsula
• reef