Marshall Islands

American  

plural noun

1. a group of 34 atolls in the western central Pacific Ocean: formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; since 1986 a self-governing area associated with the United States. 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

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Marshall Islands British  

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

plural noun

1. a republic, consisting of a group of 34 coral islands in the W central Pacific: formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947–87); status of free association with the US from 1986; consists of two parallel chains, Ralik and Ratak. Official languages: Marshallese and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Delap-Uliga-Djarrit, on Majuro atoll. Pop: 69 747 (2013 est). Area: (land) 181 sq km (70 sq miles); (lagoon) 11 655 sq km (4500 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Marshallese nounMarshallese

Example Sentences

Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands are the most common FOC states, representing 46.5% of all merchant ships by weight, but Gambia has become a player in recent years.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

The compacts of free association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau were negotiated to resolve a specific historical reality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

Ms. Stone is a former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

Hughes pointed to the impact of the United States' 15-megaton Bravo test at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands on March 1, 1954 -- "equivalent to 1,000 Hiroshima bombs -- an absolute monstrosity".

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The cloud necessitated the hasty evacuation of nearby Marshall Islands residents to Kwajalein Island, four hundred miles distant, where they were treated for radiation sickness.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik