island

[ahy-luhnd]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to make into an island.

2. to dot with islands.

3. to place on an island; isolate.

island

/ 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

verb

1. to cause to become an island

2. to intersperse with islands

3. to place on an island; insulate; isolate

island

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

Old English īgland, from īg island + _land ; s inserted through influence of _isle

Example Sentences

Fresh floods struck Spain on Sunday as part of the northeastern Catalonia region faced a red alert for torrential rain, a day after downpours unleashed travel chaos on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza.

Read more on Barron's

Marines post on X featured photos of an expeditionary unit training with machine guns on the island.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At that time, the modern islands and peninsulas of Ayvalık would have formed a single stretch of land, creating a natural bridge that linked Anatolia to Europe.

Read more on Science Daily

In his victory speech, Herminie promised to lower the cost of living, revive public services, and unite the island nation, saying the result marked "a new chapter for all Seychellois".

Read more on BBC

The U.S. electorate believed Truman was right to avoid what Winston Churchill had called the “effusions of American blood” necessary to conquer Japan’s home islands.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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