atoll

[at-awl, -ol, -ohl, uh-tawl, uh-tol, uh-tohl]

noun

1. a ring-shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon.

atoll

/ əˈtɒl, ˈætɒl /

noun

1. a circular coral reef or string of coral islands surrounding a lagoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll¹

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier atollon, from French: a word used in early descriptions of the Maldive Island atolls; said to be Divehi ( Indo-Aryan language of the Maldives) atoḷu

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll¹

C17: from atollon, native name in the Maldive Islands

Example Sentences

“The Aviator and the Showman” leaves no doubt about Earhart’s disappearance: She misjudged her gasoline reserves, panicked and crashed near tiny Howland atoll.

From Los Angeles Times

From 1952 and for the following 15 years, about 39,000 British and Commonwealth servicemen and scientists witnessed 45 atomic and hydrogen bombs, and hundreds of radioactive experiments, in the Australian Outback and Pacific atolls.

From BBC

Despite wide interest in the global footprint of palm crops, the distribution of coconut palms across tropical Pacific atolls has received little attention.

From Science Daily

Yet as coral reef ecologist Alexandra Dempsey explored the atolls’ beautiful coral reefs in 2015, she nevertheless found signs of human pollution.

From Salon

This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a military base for its navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft.

From BBC

Related Words

• isle 
• reef