floating island

noun

1. a dessert consisting of boiled custard with portions of meringue, whipped cream, or whipped egg whites and sometimes jelly floating upon it or around it.
2. a floating mass of earth and partly decayed vegetation held together by interlacing roots, as on a lake: usually formed by the accumulation of plant litter; sometimes artificially built on wooden platforms, as in Asia.

floating island

noun

1. a floating mass of soil held together by vegetation

Word History and Origins

Origin of floating island¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

Desserts — chocolate mousse, floating island, profiteroles — run to the classic.

From Washington Post

This year, to meet the increasing demand for novelty, he debuted a floating island that looks a sushi roll, complete with a set of inflatable chopsticks that serve as pool noodles.

From Washington Post

As I was wrapping up my last meal, which concluded with a soft cloud of meringue above a pool of custard sauce — ask for floating island — Jean-Baptiste appeared at the door.

From Washington Post

The little floating island is now attached to the world from which it was once quite free.

From Project Gutenberg

And I shall prepare the so delicious dessert of the floating island, what you call in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Supper was over—supper, with its cold meats and shining jellies, its "floating island" and its fig cake.

From Project Gutenberg

His nest is a raft buoyed upon a clump of decaying vegetation, and looks like a floating island moored to a reed.

From Project Gutenberg

With his six sons and his six daughters Æolus lives on a floating island that has all around it a wall of bronze.

From Project Gutenberg