Oceania

American  

[oh-shee-an-ee-uh, -ah-nee-uh] / ˌoʊ ʃiˈæn i ə, -ˈɑ ni ə /

Also Oceanica

noun

1. the islands of the central and southern Pacific, including Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and traditionally Australasia. About 3,450,000 sq. mi. (8,935,500 sq. km).

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Oceania British  

/ ˌəʊʃɪˈɑːnɪə /

noun

1. the islands of the central and S Pacific, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia: sometimes also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Oceanian
  adjective

Compare meaning

How does oceania compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Oceania vs. Australia

Example Sentences

Canada and Mexico – traveling to locations in Europe, Asia, Oceania and South America — the sprint to the end, while still challenging, was suddenly manageable.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

It also concludes that the UK has the second-lowest healthy life expectancy of high-income countries, which includes those in western Europe, the Nordics, North America and Oceania.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

I tested Avast’s performance by running multiple speed tests, spanning North America, Europe, and Oceania.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Japan said it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency indicated earlier that the release would begin in Asia and Oceania before other regions.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Oceania was at war with Eastasia: Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.

From "1984" by George Orwell