Lost Colony

[ lawst kol-uh-nee, lost ]

noun

, American History.

1. a settlement of British colonists whom Walter Raleigh sent to Roanoke Island (now part of North Carolina) in 1587 and of whom no trace was found after 1591.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lost Colony¹

First recorded in 1800–05

Example Sentences

Thus, the "Lost Colony" remains an historical mystery which has never been solved.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus ended the effort to find the lost colony; they were never heard of.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the mystery of the lost colony, however, which ought to be opened by some competent hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Raleigh sent out other expeditions in search of the lost colony, but without success.

From Project Gutenberg

Was this a descendant of Ellinor Dare, or some other of the lost colony?

From Project Gutenberg